NTS-Group installs Additive Industries’ MetalFABG2 AM machine
February 21, 2022
High-tech systems supplier NTS-Group, Eindhoven, the Netherlands, reports that it has installed a MetalFABG2 Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) Additive Manufacturing machine from Additive Industries, Eindhoven, the Netherlands, at its Hengelo location to better serve high-tech OEMs in semiconductor, analytical and health markets. The AM machine will now enable NTS to additively manufacture titanium, stainless steel, aluminium and develop other exotic materials.
“Additive Manufacturing capabilities are a great addition to our competencies and central to our business strategy,” stated Tjarko Bouman, CEO of NTS-Group. “We are constantly striving to expand our added value for high-tech OEMs by offering more cost-efficient manufacturing, a shorter time-to-market and faster prototype development. Our new industrial MetalFABG2 printer from Additive Industries is equipped with three large build chambers and four lasers, which enables high productivity and repeatable quality for our customers. We are working on a wide range of applications for key customers.”
NTS explains that it has been experimenting with AM since 2013 and has developed its competency through various collaborative efforts. The company was one of the founders of AddLab and AddFab, an AM factory that develops additively manufactured metal parts for a broad range of high-tech, high-end manufacturing applications. Its Drachten, Netherlands, location was home to the AM machine of another consortium actively working with the technology. The expertise and experience gained through these initiatives by NTS’ AM competence team is said to be central to the company’s decision to purchase a MetalFABG2 and offer significant manufacturing capacity, in-house, to its customers.
René Vlaskamp, Fellow at NTS-Group, commented, “Starting with the more efficient and faster production of conventional parts, we guide our customers through the world of 3D printing. Our next step will be to change the engineering mindset and redesign key parts together with Additive Manufacturing in mind to unlock additional value. That will allow us to manufacture consolidated parts and improve part performance significantly. Lighter parts with improved performance will, for example, allow OEMs to further improve the efficiency of their applications.”
