Alcoa opens new metal powder production facility in Pittsburgh
July 8, 2016
Alcoa has opened its new metal powder production facility located at the Alcoa Technology Center
Alcoa has announced the opening of its state-of-the-art metal powder production facility for manufacturing titanium, nickel and aluminium powders optimised for the Additive Manufacturing of aerospace parts. The new plant, located at Alcoa’s Technology Center near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, is part of a $60 million investment in advanced Additive Manufacturing materials and processes.
“Alcoa is forging a leadership path in additive manufacturing with a sharp focus on the critical input material – metal powders,” stated Klaus Kleinfeld, Alcoa’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We are combining our expertise in metallurgy, manufacturing, design and product qualification to push beyond the possibilities of today’s 3D printing technologies for aerospace and other growth markets.”
In addition to producing powders, Alcoa is focused on advancing a range of additive techniques, including its recently unveiled Ampliforge™ process. The process involves additively manufacturing a near complete part, then treating it using a traditional manufacturing process such as forging to further enhance its properties. Alcoa is piloting the technique in Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
The new facility will form part of Arconic following separation from Alcoa’s traditional commodity business in the second half of 2016
