Ti-MIM specialist Element22 adopts Headmade’s Cold Metal Fusion AM process
October 21, 2021
Titanium Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) specialist Element22, Kiel, Germany, has reported that it has purchased a Formiga P110 SLS system from EOS as part of its implementation of the Cold Metal Fusion (CMF) Additive Manufacturing process developed by Headmade Materials, Würzberg, Germany.
“We are innovation drivers and always on the lookout for better, more effective solutions,” stated Matthias Scharvogel, CEO of Element22. “During technology screening, we came across the Cold Metal Fusion technology. The projects that we have already been able to realise with Headmade Materials in the past few months then completely convinced us.”
CMF technology has recently been demonstrated in titanium series components for high-end bicycles, which, among other things, offer new possibilities in frame construction. New part designs and functional integrations can be implemented, while production costs can be reduced. The demand for additively manufactured titanium components also comes from other sectors such as medical, aerospace and other high-end consumer goods. Utilising the CMF technology, Element22 now also serves these sectors.
When processing the titanium feedstock from Headmade Materials on the EOS Formiga P110, the included polymeric binder is melted layer by layer to form strong green parts. These are then debound and sintered to produce components which are reportedly comparable to MIM parts.
Christian Fischer, Managing Director, Headmade Materials, concluded, “We are pleased about the expansion of our partnership with Element22, and that the titanium specialist is relying in-house on our Cold Metal Fusion technology to move into industrial titanium 3D printing. This also underlines our technology leadership in sinter-based titanium 3D printing.”
