Research institutes invest in Gefertec’s metal AM technology
June 8, 2020
Gefertec GmbH, Berlin, Germany, reports that a number of university institutes and private research companies have recently invested in Gefertec machines for metal Additive Manufacturing, with the company’s 3DMP® technology being used to test new manufacturing techniques and the processing of different metals.
Gefertec’s 3DMP® technology is based on modern arc welding and CAD for metal part production. The company’s software uses CAD data and converts it into individual digital build ‘layers’ before the blank part is additively manufactured, followed by a 3D scan for quality control and subsequent milling to net shape. In comparison to conventional subtractive machining, 3DMP is believed to be an economic and efficient AM method, with possible savings in production costs of up to 60%.
Together with EMAG in China, Gefertec states that it is now serving a new customer in the Chinese research sector. EMAG, a machine tool manufacturer, is a strategic partner and Gefertec minority shareholder.
Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, in cooperation with its joint venture partner Pukou Advanced Manufacturing Research Institute, has purchased a Gefertec arc405 AM machine for aerospace research projects. The university has its own subsidiary and is involved in technology transfer for this future industry.
A Gefertec arc605 is also being installed at the USA’s Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC). As a joint research facility, the OMIC R&D is sponsored by twenty-nine industrial companies, three academic institutions and the state of Oregon. The centre supports members with joint manufacturing projects and the arc605 machine will reportedly play a key role in the new AM-focused OMIC Center.
According to Gefertec, this new centre will provide a critical opportunity to develop research in rapid tooling, which is critical to some of OMIC R&D’s largest members, including Daimler Trucks North America, LLC. Through its OMIC R&D membership, Gefertec will maintain close contact with these members and with potential users of the arc605.
Germany’s Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) Cottbus-Senftenberg will also be using Gefertec 3DMP® in the future. A Gefertec arc605 is being installed at the 3DLAB coordinated by the university’s design and manufacturing department. 3DLAB Cottbus is supported by a state funding programme for structural change. It will enable the continuous analysis of process chains in Additive Manufacturing based on wire or powder, from material production to the tested component.
