Freemelt, Sandvik and Mid Sweden University join to accelerate PBF-EB Additive Manufacturing
June 13, 2024
A strategic collaboration, between Sweden’s Freemelt AB, Sandvik AB and Mid Sweden University, is aiming to establish Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-EB) Additive Manufacturing as an innovative and competitive manufacturing technology for industrial applications. The parties will focus on developing and improving manufacturing processes and materials by combining expertise, experience, and solutions.
Freemelt will utilise its know-how and solutions within PBF-EB, especially its knowledge of tungsten material processes.
Sandvik will certify its tungsten powder for use in Freemelt’s Additive Manufacturing process. Through this collaboration, Sandvik also aims to become the preferred choice of powders for Freemelt’s industrial partners, opening business opportunities.
Mid Sweden University and Sports Tech Research Centre will invest in a Freemelt ONE (an open-source research PBF-EB machine) and provide resources intended to accelerate the technology, thus growing the industrial ecosystem. This investment is said to underscore the university’s commitment to being a leading entity in AM education and acting as a bridge between the research community and industrial companies.
Daniel Gidlund, CEO, Freemelt, stated, “This collaboration highlights the expertise of the Swedish research and industry in Additive Manufacturing to maintain leadership in innovative manufacturing capabilities. By combining our expertise with Sandvik’s high-quality powders and Mid Sweden University’s research capabilities, we aim to drive innovation and unlock new opportunities in industrial applications. Tungsten is a focus material for Freemelt in which we have established a strong position for various industrial applications, therefore it’s extra rewarding and valuable to enter into this collaboration with Sandvik who is a leading supplier of tungsten powder. Additionally, this collaboration will strengthen Freemelt’s position in high-performance materials such as tungsten for applications within the energy, defense, semiconductor, and medical equipment segments.”
Thomas Zimmerl, VP product management, tungsten powder products, Powder Solutions, Sandvik, commented, “We are thrilled to partner with Freemelt and Mid Sweden University to certify our tungsten powders for additive manufacturing. This collaboration not only strengthens our position in the market but also opens new opportunities for growth and innovation.”
Professor Lars-Erik Rännar at Mid Sweden University and Sports Tech Research Centre concluded, “I’m happy to see that our long-term cooperation with Sandvik will continue, and by adding the unique capabilities of Freemelt ONE and the partnership with Freemelt to our existing infrastructure, we are well prepared to address current and future challenges for the industry in the areas of advanced materials and processing. This collaboration is well in line with our ambition to push the boundaries of Additive Manufacturing technology in co-production with industry and also to provide our students with state-of-the-art infrastructure.”
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