- Additive Industries delivers its first MetalFAB1 System to Airbus APWorks
Taufkirchen, April 21, 2016 – Airbus APWorks, a 100% subsidiary of Airbus Group, has taken delivery of and launched production with the MetalFAB1 3D printing system from Additive Industries. APWorks specializes in additive manufacturing for industrial applications in a wide range of industries. With the MetalFAB1 offering a substantially improved reproducibility, productivity and flexibility, APWorks is taking a major step forward towards realizing serial production for its clients.
“Additive Industries’ MetalFAB1 was a clear choice for us as it offers significantly higher productivity and efficiency compared to other systems currently available on the market,” explained Joachim Zettler, APWorks Managing Director. The productivity is not only improved because of a multi-laser system. The MetalFAB1 system is a modular system featuring major production modules such as heat treatment and powder handling in one machine.
Left: Joachim Zettler, Managing Director, Airbus APWorks GmbH and Daan Kersten, Managing Director, Additive Industries (Photo courtesy of Airbus)
Additive Industries’ MetalFAB1 is the first integrated metal additive manufacturing system that offers features above and beyond the additive manufacturing capabilities: It also includes modules for stress relief heat treatment and automated build plate handling and storage – all integrated into one industrial grade system. “With the Metal FAB1, our initial goal was to revolutionize the additive manufacturing process,” said Daan Kersten, co-founder and CEO of Additive Industries. “Now that we’ve delivered our very first system, we can finally see it in action for serial application parts. Our mission has become reality.”
“We are convinced that the MetalFAB1 will allow us to improve both product consistency as well increase productivity. This will obviously result in significant production cost savings as well,” added Zettler. “We’re excited to finally get the MetalFAB1 online so that we can ramp up production and launch serial production for our clients, which include companies in the aerospace, robotics and automotive industries.” Additive manufacturing has already made the leap from prototyping to small serial production. Now we are taking even one step further.”
About Airbus APWorks GmbH
As a 100 % subsidiary of Airbus Group, Airbus APWorks is familiar with modern production processes, and makes proven aerospace technologies accessible in many different industries. In metallic 3D printing or additive manufacturing they cover the entire value chain, from optimized component design to the choice of suitable materials, from prototyping to qualified serial production. Their customers in robotics, mechanical engineering, automotive, medical technology and aerospace benefit from all the advantages that additive manufacture has to offer – the shortest possible production times, lower weight and lower materials consumption. 3D printing also allows much more complex geometries than were previously possible. In addition to additive manufacturing, Airbus APWorks markets innovative projects and technologies from Airbus Group Innovations. www.apworks.de
About Additive Industries
Additive Industries is dedicated to bringing metal additive manufacturing for functional parts from lab to fab by offering a modular 3D printing system and seamlessly integrated information platform to high-end and demanding industrial markets. With substantially improved reproducibility, productivity, and flexibility, Additive Industries redefines the business case for additive manufacturing applications in aerospace, automotive, medical technology and high-tech equipment. www.additiveindustries.com
Source: APWorks