3D printing high-tech metal products

Additive manufacturing (AM) essentially means 3D printing, so-called because the process adds material to a component rather than subtracting it as in conventional manufacturing. While the technology shows great promise, it is presently too immature for large-scale industrial applications.

The EU-funded project 'Additive manufacturing aiming towards zero waste & efficient production of high-tech metal products' (AMAZE) aims to improve AM. The goal is to rapidly create the finest quality metal products ever made, using an AM method and advanced alloys. The intended process should produce defect-free free metal components up to 2 m in size, and with minimal wastage, for use in certain high-technology sectors. The consortium consists of 29 partners, and will operate between January 2013 and June 2017.

After the first year, the project is on schedule. After initial recruitment and organisational planning, the team progressed to basic testing, quality control, upgrade of the AM equipment, and other developments.

To date, large batches of materials have been procured. The AM equipment is functioning, samples have been made, and new alloys and structures have been designed and tested. The project is working on development metrology and in-process monitoring. New standards are emerging and being applied within the standardisation community. Preparations have been made for second-year work, to include production of AM test samples and intermediary parts, and comparative benchmark tests.

During the first year, the project also received substantial media exposure.

The outcome of the AMAZE project will be a considerable improvement to AM technologies, leading to superior manufactured products. The work will economically benefit Europe and European manufacturers.