Experts from the automotive industry came together in the GKN Sinter Metals Innovation Center for the first AM Consulting Day
Experts from the automotive and manufacturing technology industries came together at a workshop in November to learn more about the new possibilities of Metal Additive Manufacturing in series production. GKN Sinter Metals invited experts to its Innovation Center in Radevormwald, which is also home to the MetalFAB1, the world’s first Additive Manufacturing machine in the automotive industry that enables series production of design-optimized parts for engines and transmissions.
After two intensive days, Ümit Aydin, Global BD Additive Manufacturing, said, „There is no stopping the advancement of Metal AM. We all agree on this future technology’s huge potential. But on the threshold of series production, we must carefully consider the pros and cons in each and every case. We are happy to support our partners and customers in this process.“
Unique bundling of expertise and experience
GKN Sinter Metals invited the workshop participants to bring parts with them, either physically or virtually, to highlight both the technical and commercial aspects (pain points) of possible AM manufacturing in the framework of a „Part Screening“. The know-how provided by EOS GmbH, the global market and technology leader in the area of AM series production, perfectly complemented GKN Sinter Metals“ design and material expertise. „This bundling of expertise and experience is absolutely unique on a pioneer market that is changing so rapidly,“ says Ümit Aydin.
The participants agreed: „The workshop was extremely well organized and provided genuine added value for potential users of Metal AM! In addition to the technical basics, the focus was on creating tools for application – oriented potential analysis of parts in terms of suitability for additive manufacturing and directly applying them“, said Thomas Meyer, Head of Engineering at HEGGEMANN AG.
The possibilities to positively influence volume and thus weight, handling and especially also price with stress optimization (topology optimization) and material selection are an important step towards using AM parts. For GKN Sinter Metals it is clear that the next AM Consulting Day will take place soon; it is already planned for the first quarter of 2017.
Anyone interested in participating can contact uemit.aydin@gkn.com.
Early registration is recommended, as the number of participants is limited.
About GKN Sinter Metals
GKN Sinter Metals is the world’s largest producer of precision powder metal products. With a focus on superior delivery, quality, and total solutions, the company offers extensive technical expertise in design, testing, and various process technologies. GKN Sinter Metals offers a full range of complex shapes and high strength products for automotive, industrial and consumer markets worldwide. The company’s global footprint spans more than 13 countries across five continents. GKN Sinter Metals is in close proximity to its customers with more than 30 global locations and more than 6,000 employees.
About GKN plc
GKN plc is a global engineering group. It has four divisions; GKN Aerospace, GKN Driveline, GKN Powder Metallurgy and GKN Land Systems, which operate in the aerospace, automotive and land systems markets. Over 56,100 people work in GKN companies and joint ventures in more than 30 countries. GKN is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: GKN) and recorded sales of 7.7 billion GBP in the year to 31 December 2015.
Kontakt
GKN Sinter Metals Engineering GmbH
Anne Lohoff
Krebsöge 10
42477 Radevormwald
+49 (228) 9335 237
anne.lohoff@gkn.com
http://www.gkn.com/sintermetals
