Sandvik, proudly inaugurated its latest Titanium powder plant tailor made for additive manufacturing. Located in Sandviken, Sweden, close to Sandvik’s Additive Manufacturing Center, the new titanium powder plant bridges a crucial material gap left when it comes to metal powders for Additive Manufacturing.
Titanium is noted for having exceptional material properties, being strong yet light and offering high levels of corrosion resistance. At the same time, it is biocompatible. However, the cost and complexity of machining from titanium billet have historically restricted its use to high value, low volume industries such as aerospace and medical.
Titanium Powder Plant Tailor-Made for Additive Manufacturing
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mikael Schuisky, Head of R&D and Operations at the Additive Manufacturing division in Sandvik, said, “Sandvik’s launch of titanium powders for additive manufacturing supports a growing trend towards the 3D printing of titanium parts. The additive process results in far less material waste than traditional subtractive techniques, while also encouraging new levels of design freedom. This is opening up the use of titanium in other industries, such as automotive and tooling.”
The official ribbon cutting was performed by Lars Bergström, President of Sandvik Machining Solutions, and the Governor of Gävleborg, Per Bill. And once the ribbon was cut, the gate to the impressive titanium atomization tower was opened – and the band Mass Diversity started to play the song “Titanium” (by David Guetta) in the actual tower, supported by Sandvik’s famous 3D-printed smash-proof guitar – made in titanium, of course.
Among others, Kajsa Björklund, Director Technical Operations at the medtech company OssDsign, presented how they have developed revolutionary cranial implants thanks to a solution based on 3D printed titanium skeletons, offering a much better solution for patients.
Long Experience from Powder Atomization and Titanium
Sandvik is a world-leader in metal powder for Additive Manufacturing. The company not only offers the widest alloy program around, but can also offer customized materials according to customer needs.
Keith Murray, Head of Global Sales at the Additive Manufacturing division explains, “With the addition of titanium powder, the Sandvik materials offering to Additive Manufacturing is complete. In addition, we can also tailor the powder to any printing process, thanks to our extensive in-house capabilities in Additive Manufacturing.”
Martin Mueller, Powder Operations Manager at the Additive Manufacturing division added, “Having atomized fine metal powders for more than 40 years, and producing titanium for the aerospace industry since the 1980s, Sandvik is no stranger to powder atomization or to the meticulous demands of the most demanding industries.”
Extended Program for Customers
After the inauguration ceremony there was an extended full-day program for customers, including leading companies from e.g. aerospace, medical as well as many of the 3D printer producers. In the afternoon there were presentations and discussions about new developments in metal powder and additive manufacturing, focusing on titanium and also nickel-based superalloys – since the investment also includes a sieving tower for those.
Quick Facts about the Titanium Powder Plant
- State-of-the-art atomizing plant with electrode melting
- Atomizing high-quality titanium powder with low oxygen and nitrogen levels
- Dedicated downstream sieving tower, large scale blending and packing facility
- The plant also includes a sieving tower for nickel-based superalloys
- Highly automated, ensuring even better reliability and consistency
- Full traceability, having the full supply chain inhouse – from titanium sponge to finished powder
- Producing high quality titanium powders for Additive Manufacturing like Osprey® Ti-6Al-4V Grade 5 and Grade 23 and Osprey® Alloy 625 and Alloy 718
- Other alloys available on request
About Sandvik: Sandvik is an engineering group in metal powder, additive manufacturing, materials technology, metal cutting, and mining and rock excavation.
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