AM powder demand drives capacity expansion at Osaka Titanium Technologies
November 29, 2018
Osaka Titanium Technologies Co., Ltd., Amagasaki, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, is expanding its powder production capacity to meet increasing demand for titanium alloy powders from the metal Additive Manufacturing industry. The company will invest approximately JPY 1 billion in a new factory with a planned powder production capacity of 100 t/year, expected to open in early 2020.
The company has been manufacturing titanium low oxygen powders using gas atomisation since 1994, primarily for use in sputtering targets, in liquid crystal displays and in Metal Injection Moulding (MIM). As the adoption of metal AM grows, however, it has seen both domestic and international customers express their need for a safe and reliable system for the delivery of high quality alloy powders for use in AM.
The company stated that it has seen the highest demand for titanium alloy powder from the aerospace and medical industries. As such, it will aim to secure aerospace quality certification to AS9100 for the new factory as soon as is possible.
Along with the new factory, Osaka Titanium Technologies has established a new team, the AMPM Team, to combine sales and technology for accelerated market development and expansion of the company’s alloy powder activities. One key area in the company’s development of higher performance titanium powder is the use of its in-house manufactured titanium sponge material as feedstock, which could offer heightened control over powder quality.
