Key Takeaways
- Nikon SLM Solutions and NB Additive have partnered to expand access to metal additive manufacturing systems in North America.
- The partnership aims to support manufacturers in transitioning from prototyping to production environments.
- The collaboration will focus on metal additive manufacturing applications in aerospace, defense, energy, and other industrial sectors.
- The partnership addresses challenges such as limited scalability, gaps between printing and post-processing, and the need for clearer paths to production adoption.
Introduction to Metal Additive Manufacturing
Metal additive manufacturing (AM) is a rapidly growing field, with manufacturers increasingly adopting this technology to improve production efficiency and reduce costs. However, one of the major challenges in metal AM is the transition from prototyping to production environments. To address this challenge, Nikon SLM Solutions and NB Additive have partnered to provide integrated production workflows and expand access to metal AM systems in North America.
Partnership Details
The partnership combines Nikon SLM Solutions' multi-laser metal additive manufacturing platforms with NB Additive's expertise in workflow integration, production strategy, and manufacturing implementation. Nikon SLM Solutions' systems offer an open parameter approach and industrial production focus, making them an ideal choice for NB Additive. The partnership will focus on production-scale manufacturing and workflow optimization in various industrial sectors, including aerospace, defense, and energy.
Comparison of Metal AM Systems
| System | Multi-Laser Capability | Open Parameter Approach | Industrial Production Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon SLM Solutions | Yes, up to 12 lasers | Yes, allowing for customized printing parameters | Yes, designed for production-scale manufacturing |
| Other Metal AM Systems | Limited or no multi-laser capability | Limited or no open parameter approach | Limited or no industrial production focus |
Benefits of the Partnership
The partnership between Nikon SLM Solutions and NB Additive addresses several challenges in metal AM, including:
- Limited scalability in some additive systems
- Gaps between printing and post-processing
- Need for clearer paths to production adoption
By providing integrated production workflows and expanding access to metal AM systems, the partnership is expected to support growth opportunities for manufacturers over the next 18 to 24 months.
Conclusion
The partnership between Nikon SLM Solutions and NB Additive reflects a broader shift in additive manufacturing from prototyping to production-focused manufacturing environments. With a focus on metal additive manufacturing applications in various industrial sectors, the partnership is expected to drive growth and adoption of this technology.
Bottom Line
The partnership between Nikon SLM Solutions and NB Additive is a significant development in the metal additive manufacturing industry, providing manufacturers with access to integrated production workflows and expanding the adoption of this technology in North America. With its focus on production-scale manufacturing and workflow optimization, the partnership is expected to drive growth and efficiency in various industrial sectors, including aerospace, defense, and energy.