Siemens AG, Germany, has acquired a majority stake (85%) in Materials Solutions Ltd., England, for its capabilities in additive manufacture of superalloy parts. Materials Solutions is a pioneer in the use of selective laser melting technology for the production of high-performance metal parts. A specialty of the company is making turbomachinery parts, particularly for high-temperature applications in gas turbines, where accuracy, surface finish, and the highest quality of the materials is critical to ensure operational performance.
According to Willi Meixner, CEO of Siemens Power and Gas Division, “With the acquisition of Materials Solutions, we are able to secure world-leading expertise in materials and additive manufacturing process development with focus on high-temperature superalloys. The company’s strength is to turn models into high-quality components in record time. Clearly Materials Solutions fits perfectly within our vision for growth and application of advanced technologies within our Power & Gas portfolio.”
Founded in 2006, Materials Solutions has proven applications in demanding fields such as aerospace, power generation, and motor sports. “Materials Solutions is developing the applications knowhow and a supply chain for the world’s most advanced engineering companies,” says Carl Brancher, CEO of Materials Solutions. “We deliver processes and precision parts from 3D CAD models, using software, lasers, and metal powders.” Materials Solutions will continue to focus on supporting external customers in those highly demanding environments in order to continuously drive and leverage innovations across different industries.
Siemens uses AM technology extensively for rapid prototyping, and has introduced serial production solutions for rapid manufacturing of small fuel mixers and for rapid repair of burner tips for mid-size gas turbines. Siemens in Finspång, Sweden, already started using Additive Manufacturing technology in 2009 and opened a production facility for metal 3D printed components in February 2016. This investment was the first step in the company’s plans for mass manufacture and repair of metal parts with Additive Manufacturing. The first 3D printed burner component (shown in the photo) for a Siemens heavy-duty gas turbine is in successful commercial operation in a power plant in Brno, Czech Republic.
Additive manufacturing is a process that builds parts layer-by-layer from sliced CAD models to form solid objects. Recent advancements in the technology have enhanced the potential of additive manufacturing for fully manufactured production parts. Fiber lasers are now available with enough power to melt high performance metal alloys to manufacture gas turbine or jet engine parts.
www.energy.siemens.com/hq/en/services/industrial-applications/additive-manufacturing.htm
