Metal 3D printing has become increasingly widespread in recent years, and its market is predicted to grow even more rapidly over the next decade. Read on to find out what this steel-strong manufacturing method can do!
Metal 3D printing is already being used for demanding applications in industries such as aviation and defense, where parts must be of the highest quality and reliability. Meeting these requirements is no problem for 3D printing, as metal materials are extremely durable, the manufacturing process allows for flexible customization according to needs, and the parts are produced with the highest precision – and these are just a few of the advantages of metal 3D printing.
Right now, many industrial companies are moving from a successful trial phase to a strategic manufacturing method in metal 3D printing: 3D printing is used to make critical production parts, optimize structures to be lighter, and combine multiple components into a functional whole. Series production is also increasing all the time, and a wider range of metal materials is becoming available.
In addition to the quality of the parts, the benefits of metal 3D printing are also evident in the manufacturing process and, on a broader level, in business operations. Among other things, 3D printing can be used to shorten delivery times, reduce storage needs, improve product performance, and extend product life cycles. Another very important topical perspective is 3D printing as part of sustainable development: it minimizes material waste and enables energy efficiency through lighter, optimized structures.
Taking all this into account, it is fair to say that 3D printing is not just another alternative way of manufacturing metal parts, but a truly effective tool for driving business development.
3D Formtech is a strong player in metal 3D printing
When you want to get the most out of metal 3D printing, expertise is crucial. At 3D Formtech, we have a solid position as experts in industrial-grade metal 3D printing.
In addition to our extensive printing capacity, we also offer assistance in the design, manufacture, and finishing of parts so that they function optimally in their intended environment.
Our services cover 3D printing of metal parts from concept to finished component. After printing, we can post-process the parts as needed so that the customer can put them to use immediately.
- Various heat treatments: We perform appropriate stress relief annealing and other necessary heat treatments, such as aging treatment, on metal prints.
- Machining: We machine metal parts to precise tolerances according to customer requirements, with options including milling, turning, drilling, and threading.
- Polishing: We can polish the outer surfaces of parts mechanically to achieve the desired surface quality.
We also provide agile services in the manufacture of metal spare parts and can manufacture parts using reverse engineering, modeling them with a 3D scanner based on the old part. If necessary, changes can still be made to the models at this stage—for example, adding machining allowances. After printing, the part is finished with the desired post-processing.
Customer case:
A few years ago, Borealis Polymers Oy, based in Porvoo, Finland, decided to work with us to solve the challenge of spare part availability using reverse engineering. It would have been expensive to order spare parts for the plant, which was built in 1971, and similar spare parts were no longer available for the oldest pumps. The parts were 3D printed from acid-resistant steel, and tests showed that their quality clearly exceeded the values that could have been achieved by casting. At the same time, the procurement of spare parts was speeded up and inventory management was made easier.
Our range of materials will soon be even more comprehensive
All the metal materials we use for 3D printing are certified and suitable for even the most demanding applications. Our current range includes:
✔ AlSi10Mg aluminum
✔ MaragingSteel MS1
✔ StainlessSteel 316L
✔ Titanium TiCP Grade 2
✔ Titanium Ti64 Grade 5.
A new aluminum grade will become available in the spring, combining superior corrosion resistance, excellent anodizability, and improved strength. The material enables the use of 3D printing in an increasing number of applications, such as the manufacture of more durable and refined components for demanding industrial and environmental conditions.
Customer case:
Senop, our long-standing customer in the defense and security technology sector, has made extensive use of 3D printing in both product development processes and end products, achieving smooth operations and cost efficiency. “For us, product weight is a significant factor. When you want to optimize the strength and weight of a part, some structures can be made more easily with 3D printing than with machining,” says Erkki Tarvainen, Product Development Project Manager at Senop.
Now is the right time to take advantage of metal 3D printing
Metal 3D printing has grown because it has been proven to solve real problems. It shortens delivery times, frees up design constraints, and brings flexibility to situations where traditional methods are slow or expensive. On top of that, the quality of the parts can often be raised to a higher level.
The next time you wonder if a part could be lighter, more durable, or available faster, the answer may lie in metal 3D printing. We are ready to make that possible.