SPEE3D continues global expansion with appointment of Brazilian reseller
January 6, 2021
SPEE3D, headquartered in Darwin and Melbourne, Australia, has signed a reseller agreement with Infocus Laser Systems, São Paulo, Brazil. Infocus Laser Systems has been a provider of laser technologies for manufacturing for twenty-two years.
In the last five years, Infocus Laser Systems has focused on the Additive Manufacturing market, and has supplied companies in the medical, automotive, and aerospace & defence industries, the oil & gas and energy market, as well as universities and R&D organisations. In addition to selling SPEE3D’s machines, Infocus will provide technical sales and after-sales service including installation, training and day-to-day support.
In SPEE3D’s cold spray AM process, metal powder of a 5–45 µm size range is deposited onto a substrate by accelerating the particles to supersonic speeds via a carrier gas. This kinetic energy plastically deforms the particles upon impact, forming a ‘particle splat’ on the substrate.
Some mechanical interlocking occurs, and a small amount of heat is produced; however, the heat is not significant enough to change the microstructure of the particles. In fact, the particles largely retain their original microstructure, with the exception of some peening or cold working effects. Unlike many other AM processes, cold spray can process a wide range of particle shapes: spherical, irregular or dendritic morphologies are all cold-sprayable by adjusting spraying parameters.
Welodimer Neustadter Jr., Infocus Laser Systems’ Director General, stated, “SPEE3D’s metal AM process using supersonic jets of metal powder onto a substrate is a fascinating idea. It got my attention as a one-of-a-kind technology to improve the speed and cost at which metal parts can be made. We are excited to take the next step in promoting this technology and its benefits in Brazil.”
Bruce Colter, SPEE3D’s vice president & General Manager for the Americas Region, commented, “We‘re excited to have a company of such high technical calibre representing SPEE3D in Brazil. Our unique Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM) technology will benefit many industries in Brazil and provide our customers with a competitive advantage.”
