The automotive industry has successfully embraced metal Additive Manufacturing as a prototyping technology for a number of years. As the technology advances, however, the possibilities for the use of metal AM for series component production are now starting to be explored. In the following review the challenges and opportunities for metal AM in the automotive industry are presented, including a radical concept to use AM parts as key structural elements in the next generation of automotive spaceframes [First published in Metal AM Vol. 2 No. 2, Summer 2016]
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As one of the first major markets for metal additively manufactured products, the importance of the tooling industry has long been recognised. There is still, however, limited information available on what mechanical properties can be expected for the various materials used. This report by Harish Irrinki, Brenton Barmore, Kunal H Kate and Sundar V Atre reviews the published data on various steel powders and processing conditions as well as the mechanical properties that have been obtained using the Selective Laser Melting process [First published in Metal AM Vol. 2 No. 2, Summer 2016]
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VTT, based in Espoo, Finland, is one of Europe’s largest research and technology centres with a long track record in metal powder processing technologies. In the following case study VTT’s Erin Komi reviews the development of an additively manufactured valve block for demanding industrial applications. The project, in conjunction with industrial partner Nurmi Cylinders, looked at the optimisation of the valve block in terms of size reduction, weight saving and performance gains [First published in Metal AM Vol. 2 No. 1, Spring 2016]
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Additive Manufacturing technology is rapidly making gains in the aerospace sector, particularly in the field of aero engine construction. Munich-based MTU Aero Engines is the first company to use this technology for the serial production of borescope bosses used in the new PurePower® PW1100G-JM engine from Pratt & Whitney and fitted to the Airbus A320neo aircraft. In this report Metal AM magazine reviews the development of the technology at MTU and the close collaboration with EOS that helped to ensure the success of the project [First published in Metal AM Vol. 1 No. 2, Summer 2015]
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The Rapid.Tech Conference and Exhibition was first held in Erfurt, Germany, eleven years ago and since then this annual event has attracted ever more visitors. Originally a German language event, the organisers have in recent years worked hard to increase its international appeal and this year the conference was held both in German and English with simultaneous translation. Dr Georg Schlieper reports for Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine [First published in Metal AM Vol. 1 No. 2, Summer 2015]
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Materials Solutions Limited, located in Worcester, UK, is a world-class specialist in the Additive Manufacturing of functional parts using the Selective Laser Melting process. Dr David Whittaker reports for Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine on a visit to the company, where he spoke with founder and Managing Director, Carl Brancher [First published in Metal AM Vol. 1 No. 1, Spring 2015]
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