It hardly seems possible that it’s now been two years since Australian metal 3D printing company Titomic unveiled its patented, innovative Titomic Kinetic Fusion (TKF) process, which is adapted from the cold spray technique and makes it possible to produce objects with few limitations in size or shape. The company has been busily signing agreements with companies in a multitude of industries all over the world, and the latest was announced this week.
Titomic’s Kinetic Fusion process involves a 6 axis robot arm spraying titanium powder particles onto a scaffold at supersonic speeds. [Image: Titomic]
Titomic has entered into a supply agreement with GE Additive company and spherical metal powder production specialist AP&C to receive aerospace-grade Titanium Ti6Al4V powder for its TKF systems. In addition, the two have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will result in the development of titanium and titanium alloy powders for TKF systems around the world in multiple manufacturing industries.
“This agreement is a significant milestone in the supply of large volumes of Titanium and Titanium Alloy powders, and we’re delighted to be working with a recognised leader and manufacturing innovator Titomic, to produce best practice standards for the future to lead the development of industry standards for Titanium powders,” said Alain Dupont, the President and CEO of AP&C.
L-R: Titomic’s Chief of Strategy Mr. Vahram Papyan with GE’s AP&C President & CEO Mr. Alain Dupont and Titomic Procurement Manager Mr. Beau Lang at the 2019 Paris Airshow. [Image: GE Additive]
The purpose of the MoU is to ensure continuing cooperation for co-development of TKF 3D printing powders. According to a GE Additive press release, in order to execute the MoU, the fields for future mutual cooperation between AP&C and Titomic are the following:
- co-development of industry standards of best practices for the safe handling and storage of titanium and titanium alloy AM powders
- development of custom-made homogenization powder systems for titanium and titanium alloy powders for use in TKF systems
- exploring the optimization of coarse (50-150 um) titanium and titanium alloy powders for use in TKF systems
This last point is specifically to lower the cost of products manufactured with the TKF 3D printing process.
“AP&C, a GE Additive Company, is a global leader in the production of the aerospace grade Titanium and Titanium alloy powders, using its Plasma Atomisation Manufacturing process, which have the ideal characteristics for Titomic Kinetic Fusion process. These Agreements provide Titomic with not only with a secure metal powders supply from AP&C, a reputable multinational company, but also allows for continuous improvement under a strong collaboration between the parties of their own unique capabilities for future digital manufacturing solutions for industries,” stated Titomic’s Managing Director Jeff Lang.
[Image: AP&C]
The supply agreement, coupled with the MoU, will ensure a secure global supply to Titomic of aerospace-grade Titanium Ti6Al4V powders for use in its TKF systems, so it will be able to offer its aerospace and defense clients the highest quality metal powder.
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