Page 46 - ITA Journal 3-2018

Technical Papers
of industries. These “enabler” industries include the aerospace industry, the automotive indus- try, medical engineering, proto- type and tool making, and plant and mechanical engineering. Also SMS group uses additive manufac- turing in the development of new or optimized components for its plants. A very impressive example are the spray heads used in drop forging plants for cooling and lubricating the dies. Compared to the previously used spray heads, the new ones made by additive manufacturing are much lighter, ow-optimized and individual- ized to perfectly meet the speci c requirements of die at hand. The advantages: Forging press opera- tors can increase the productivity of their operations and improve the quality of their products as a result of the dies being cooled faster and more ef ciently.
A MARKET CHARACTERIZED BY ENORMOUS DYNAMISM AND GROWTH POTENTIAL
Both the new powder atomiza- tion plant and components made by SMS group by AM techniques provide a very promising market potential. According to a study published by Roland Berger in 2017,between2004and2016the market for additive manufacturing grew from 0.8 billion to 5.5 billion euros. This corresponds to a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of about 20 percent. However, this is only the beginning. Based on several institutes’ forecasts, which the study has evaluated, the market growth is predicted to experience a sharp rise reaching a global level of 24.1 to 28.3 billion euros by 2022.
Markus Hüllen: “As powder pro- duction and additive manufactur- ing are very young technologies,
there are only very few established quality standards. SMS group has always set great store by comply- ing with highest quality stand- ards. Therefore we think beyond the stage of powder production. In order to be able to produce high-end, high-performance com- ponents from the powder, it is essential that the powder does not get in contact with oxygen in the downstream production processes. Therefore we have been develop- ing solutions that ensure that the powder is safely protected by an inert gas atmosphere until it is processed in the 3D laser printer of our cooperation partner Addi- tive Industries. This involves a great effort, but guarantees the high quality level as required, for example, for safety-critical com- ponents.“
According to Markus Hüllen und Norbert Gober, with the new powder atomization plant SMS group has accomplished a rst great milestone. There are more to come. In Mönchengladbach a demonstration center is to be set up comprising the complete process chain, i. e. powder pro- duction, powder handling, 3D printing, heat treatment and machining, inspection, quality checks, logistics and, last but not least, a dedicated automation system.
A COMPETENT GLOBAL PARTNER FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING Nobert Gober: “As systems pro- vider and “Leading Partner in the World of Metals”, our objective is to offer our customers complete additive manufacturing plants on a turnkey basis, by integrat- ing the entire process chain from powder production down to the nished products while ensuring series production at a high, repro-
ducible quality level. The pilot plant will allow us to optimize the processes so as to maximize productivity and minimize total costs. Our customers will receive modular, scalable solutions tai- lored to their individual require- ments. With our world-spanning service and support network, we are always readily available for our customers to accompany them along their way into the world of additive manufacturing.“
SMS group GmbH
Ohlerkirchweg 66
41069 Mönchengladbach Germany
Tel: +49 2161 350 0 Fax: +49 2161 350 1667
communications@sms-group. com
www.sms-group.com
ITAtube Journal No3/October 2018
46