AUTUMN
1SflouO
1SflouO
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
| contents page | news | events | advertisers’ index | contact |<br />
Metal AM in Japan<br />
Mutoh developed a metal AM system<br />
using arc-welding process in 2014.<br />
Yamazaki Mazak Co., a leading<br />
machine tool company, launched<br />
a hybrid type AM system combined<br />
with laser cladding and 5-axis milling<br />
in 2014 (Fig. 6) [9]. These machines<br />
are used for repairing and small lot<br />
production of very difficult-to-cut<br />
materials such as those used in<br />
the aerospace, energy and medical<br />
industries.<br />
Industrial applications for<br />
metal AM technology in<br />
Japan<br />
Mould and die making<br />
As mentioned above, the sales of<br />
metal AM systems in Japan have<br />
increased rapidly since 2013. Mould<br />
and die makers have installed hybrid<br />
Powder Bed Fusion machines to<br />
improve the performance of moulds<br />
by the effective arrangement of<br />
water cooling pipes and formation<br />
of deep rib as show in Fig. 7. These<br />
high performance moulds bring a<br />
significant reduction in moulding<br />
time along with quality improvements<br />
in finished products. According to<br />
an article published in Nikkei in<br />
June 2013, Panasonic planed to<br />
facilitate the mass production of<br />
home appliances using metal AM<br />
technology. It was stated that the use<br />
of metal AM technology for tooling<br />
would reduce production costs<br />
by 30% and significantly shorten<br />
manufacturing lead-time.<br />
OPM Laboratory Co., Ltd., a die<br />
design and milling-combined laser<br />
metal sintering process service<br />
bureau, was awarded a contract<br />
for research and application<br />
development using a hybrid laser<br />
PBF type machine [10].<br />
Aerospace<br />
The Japan Aerospace Exploration<br />
Agency (JAXA) plans to launch<br />
a new large-scale test rocket in<br />
2020. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries<br />
(MHI) therefore announced that it is<br />
considering using metal 3D printing<br />
to manufacture rocket parts as<br />
JAXA’s partner [11].<br />
Fig. 8 A metal AM turbine blade (left) and impeller (right) manufactured by<br />
Metal Technology Co. Ltd (Courtesy of Metal Technology Co. Ltd)<br />
Fig. 9 An example of medical implant (Courtesy of Teijin Nakashima<br />
Medical Co. Ltd)<br />
Automotive<br />
Koiwai Co., Ltd., a specialist<br />
producer of high precision castings<br />
for automotive and marine<br />
engine applications, is reported<br />
to be using not only sand Additive<br />
Manufacturing machines but also<br />
metal Additive Manufacturing<br />
machines [12]. One of the metal AM<br />
machines is an EBM machine for<br />
titanium alloys, whilst the others<br />
are SLM machines for aluminium<br />
alloys and others.<br />
Metal Technology Co. Ltd.<br />
(Kinzokugiken) [13] is a company<br />
that provides advanced metal<br />
processing technology, such as<br />
heat treatment, HIP, sintering,<br />
etc. It has introduced EBM and<br />
SLM machines for aerospace and<br />
automotive trial parts, as shown<br />
Fig. 8<br />
Medical<br />
In the medical field, Teijin<br />
Nakashima Medical Co. Ltd. has<br />
developed and manufactured<br />
medical devices, such as artificial<br />
joints, and applied an EBM<br />
machine to produce free-form<br />
implants and porous components<br />
as shown in Fig. 9 [14].<br />
Vol. 1 No. 3 © 2015 Inovar Communications Ltd<br />
Metal Additive Manufacturing | Autumn/Fall 2015 35
Change language