Renishaw joins forces with Aeromet on aluminium for metal Additive Manufacturing
August 8, 2017
A metal additively manufactured sample part produced by Renishaw (Courtesy Renishaw)
Renishaw, Gloucestershire, UK, has announced a collaboration with Aeromet International Limited to establish Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) process parameters and material properties for Aeromet’s A20X® aluminium alloy. Based in Worcestershire, UK, Aeromet is a manufacturer of precision aluminium and magnesium castings for the aerospace and defence industries, and uses metal AM for cast prototyping during R&D.
Under the collaboration, the two companies will work together to optimise the processing techniques for the high-performance alloy on Renishaw’s metal AM systems and investigate a range of heat treatment regimens to deliver optimum properties in AM components. The results of these developments will be made available to Renishaw and Aeromet customers.
A20X comprises a family of high-strength aluminium-copper alloys with highly-refined microstructures and what it states is a unique solidification mechanism, developed and patented by Aeromet. The range includes the company’s Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardisation (MMPDS) approved A205 casting alloy and AM205 powder for Additive Manufacturing.
“A20X is being rapidly adopted for the Additive Manufacturing of aero engine, airframe, space, defence and automotive parts,” stated Mike Bond, Director of AMT, a division of Aeromet. “Its unique combination of high strength, high ductility and performance at high operating temperatures make it ideal for light-weight, stressed components. We look forward to making processing techniques for this innovative alloy more widely available to accelerate its adoption.”
Marc Saunders, Renishaw’s Director of Global Solutions Centres, added, “Renishaw’s metal AM systems feature high power lasers, an inert processing environment and open parameters, making them ideal for supporting innovative new materials like A20X. We are working closely with Aeromet to qualify this exciting new alloy on our machines. Through our network of AM Solutions Centres, we can help manufacturers to develop industrial AM processes using A20X.
The two companies reportedly plan to release processing techniques and material properties information in the coming months.
