Trumpf re-enters metal Additive Manufacturing market with Sisma joint venture
May 7, 2014
Germany’s Trumpf Group has announced a joint venture with Italy’s largest laser manufacturer, Sisma S.p.A., to co-develop latest generation production systems for the Additive Manufacturing of metal components. Trumpf Sisma S.r.l. will be based in Piovene Rocchette near Vicenza, Italy, and both companies are stated as bringing expertise, human resources and capital to the joint venture.
The partners, with their high level of expertise in laser and mechanical engineering, are developing machines suitable for the mass production of metal components. “Many machines on the market today are aimed more at prototype construction,” stated Dr Peter Leibinger, head of Trumpf Laser Technology. “In the future, however, the most important criterion where Additive Manufacturing lines are concerned will be their suitability for industrial applications.”
Trumpf originally entered the Additive Manufacturing sector back in 2000 with its TrumaForm system. However, the company’s TrumaForm LF and TrumaForm DMD 505 machines were later withdrawn as the market for serial production of components had not at that time developed sufficiently. At the beginning of 2014 Trumpf entered the Additive Manufacturing business once again, building on the results of earlier development work as well as from its increasing expertise in the related process of laser deposition welding.
Sisma is reported to have begun work a number of years ago on developing an Additive Manufacturing machine for the production of small metallic components, and is bringing this expertise to the joint venture. Sisma has annual sales of €33 million and currently sells around 1000 laser devices each year.
Trumpf was founded in 1923 and today ranks among the leading manufacturing companies in the world. Trumpf Group is reported to have around 9925 employees and achieved sales of €2.34 billion in 2012/13.
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