LaserTool, a Scandinavian firm specializing in laser hardening, is getting into the additive manufacturing (AM) sector with the acquisition of an SLM 500 steel 3D printer from steel 3D printer producer Nikon SLM Options. The funding is meant to satisfy rising regional demand for high-strength metal parts whereas additionally supporting the development of additive manufacturing capabilities in Northern Europe, significantly in purposes requiring sturdy materials efficiency.
Constructing on greater than twenty years of expertise in laser hardening, LaserTool goals to leverage its experience to fabricate massive structural parts, spare components, tooling, and prototypes utilizing high-strength metal powders offered by SSAB. To assist this enlargement, the corporate is growing its manufacturing area by 400 sq. meters to deal with the brand new tools and ramp up operations.
“We’re proud to assist LaserTool’s bold enlargement into additive manufacturing,” stated Sam O’Leary, CEO of Nikon SLM Options. “Our collaboration marks a big milestone in accelerating AM adoption throughout the Nordic area.”
Sustainability and AM Integration with the SLM 500 System
The SLM 500 system is designed for high-throughput manufacturing of complicated steel components and is suited to each prototyping and sequence manufacturing. LaserTool defined that its AM operations shall be powered by renewable vitality sources, consistent with the corporate’s said sustainability targets. Set up and commissioning of the system are anticipated within the second quarter of 2025.
“With this funding, LaserTool will meet rising market demand and strengthen our aggressive edge as a complete manufacturing accomplice,” stated Martin Nilsson, CEO of LaserTool. “Additive manufacturing opens new alternatives, enabling us to create parts that had been beforehand unattainable with typical strategies, considerably lowering materials waste, and enhancing our environmental footprint.”
Nikon’s Partnerships in Additive Manufacturing
LaserTool’s funding displays a wider development amongst firms aiming to broaden their capabilities in superior manufacturing applied sciences. In March, Nikon Company was chosen by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Company (JAXA) as a expertise improvement accomplice beneath the FY2024 Area Technique Fund (SSF). The collaboration focuses on additive manufacturing for light-weight, high-performance, and cost-efficient area transportation techniques. Nikon will contribute by means of using its NXG XII 600 platform and home manufacturing infrastructure, with the purpose of lowering manufacturing prices and lead instances for big precision area parts.
Individually, Veeco, a producer within the semiconductor and compound semiconductor industries, has acquired the NXG XII 600 system as a part of its technique to combine AM into its manufacturing processes. The system shall be used to fabricate complicated parts reminiscent of gasoline supply techniques, manifolds, and warmth exchangers. Veeco goals to enhance precision and effectivity by utilizing AM to supply designs which might be troublesome to realize by means of typical manufacturing.
In 2024, Nikon SLM Options prolonged its partnership with steel alloys specialist Howco Metals Administration LLC to reinforce 3D printing for aerospace. This renewed collaboration has seen Howco purchase two new SLM 280 PS 3D printers, bringing its whole variety of SLM techniques to 4. These newly adopted 3D printers type a part of an unique initiative to develop and deploy course of parameters for C-103 alloy, tailor-made to aerospace purposes.
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Characteristic picture reveals the SLM 500 3D printing system. Picture through Nikon SLM Options.
