toolcraft additively manufactures components for German armed forces

June 29, 2022

toolcraft is manufacturing components for a turret-independent secondary weapon system for use on Germany’s Puma infantry fighting vehicle (Courtesy toolcraft)
toolcraft is manufacturing components for a turret-independent secondary weapon system for use on Germany’s Puma infantry fighting vehicle (Courtesy toolcraft)

toolcraft AG, Georgensgmünd, Germany, reports it has been working with integrated technology group Rheinmetall AG, Düsseldorf, to additively manufacture components for Germany’s armed forces.

Rheinmetall commissioned toolcraft to manufacture components for a turret-independent secondary weapon system (TSWA), an unmanned weapon station mounted on the rear section of the German army’s Puma infantry fighting vehicle. The TSWA has a mount, launcher and an optical targeting system.

The additively manufactured components form part of the launcher, and include the structural support used to hold all the other parts, as well as the gate used to load and unload the launcher and prevent the ammunition from being removed without permission. The structural support also protects the electronics in a waterproof compartment.

Part of the weapons launcher additively manufactured for Rheinmetall (Courtesy toolcraft)
Part of the weapons launcher additively manufactured for Rheinmetall (Courtesy toolcraft)

The semi-finished products for the structural support and gate were additively manufactured, before undergoing heat treatment in a vacuum furnace to ensure they had the specified material characteristics. These individual components were then joined by laser welding with the addition of powder in a Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) machine. They were then post-processed to the required tolerances.

The way in which each component is segmented into sub-components which can then be additively manufactured was taken into account by Rheinmetall during the design phase. toolcraft used a range of quality assurance measures for the entire manufacturing process and the finished assembly, ensuring that the requirements of the DIN 2303 manufacturer certification for the production of defence-related products by means of Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) and the LMD process were met at all times.

toolcraft additively manufactured a novel copper nozzle for use on its LMD machine (Courtesy toolcraft)
toolcraft additively manufactured a novel copper nozzle for use on its LMD machine (Courtesy toolcraft)

“The defence and security sector has strict component manufacturing requirements,” stated Christoph Hauck, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Sales Officer at toolcraft. “We are highly confident that our Additive Manufacturing process chain is capable of fulfilling all of these requirements.”

The TSWA was officially unveiled to the public during the celebrations held to mark the 50th anniversary of the Marder infantry fighting vehicle at the Munster Armoured Corps Training Centre on 21 October 2021. The weapon system is expected to become available for adaptation to the Puma following completion of the verification process in 2023.

www.toolcraft.de

www.rheinmetall.com

In the latest issue of Metal AM magazine

Download PDF
 

Extensive AM industry news coverage, as well as the following exclusive deep-dive articles:

  • The GRCop story: The development, production and Additive Manufacturing of NASA’s rocket engine alloys
  • Formnext 2023: Innovations in metal Additive Manufacturing from the industry’s leading international exhibition
  • Cybersecurity in Additive Manufacturing: Securing the industry’s future
  • Additive Manufacturing in the jewellery industry: exploring the potential of platinum and titanium
  • Mission possible: The five-year plan to gain FAA and EASA acceptance of in-process monitoring

The world of metal AM to your inbox

Don't miss any new issue of Metal AM magazine, and get the latest industry news. Sign up to our twice weekly newsletter.

Sign up

Discover our magazine archive…

The free to access Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of metal Additive Manufacturing from a commercial and technological perspective through:

  • Reports on visits to leading metal AM part manufacturers and industry suppliers
  • Articles on technology and application trends
  • Information on materials developments
  • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
  • International industry news

All past issues are available to download as free PDFs or view in your browser.

Browse the archive

Looking for AM machines, metal powders or part manufacturing services?

Discover suppliers of these and more in our comprehensive advertisers’ index and buyer’s guide, available in the back of Metal AM magazine.

  • AM machines
  • Process monitoring & calibration
  • Heat treatment & sintering
  • HIP systems & services
  • Pre- & post-processing technology
  • Powders, powder production and analysis
  • Part manufacturers
  • Consulting, training & market data
View online
Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap