Bodycote blows the trumpet of its new 'Powdermet' technology
Heat treatment and specialist thermal processing company Bodycote launched its ‘Powdermet’ technology product on Thursday, which it described as a group of additive manufacturing processes used in the production of “complex compounds”, using powder metallurgy.
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The FTSE 250 firm said the Powdermet technologies now incorporated new, patent-pending techniques which combined 3D printing with “well-established” net shape and near net shape techniques.
It said the new technology would “dramatically” reduce the manufacturing time and production cost of a part, compared to producing the same part using 3D printing alone.
“The recent breakthroughs are truly game changing technologies for component design and manufacturing,” said group chief executive Stephen Harris.
“Industry applications are wide ranging with early adoption expected in aerospace, oil and gas, power generation and mining.”
Bodycote said its Powdermet technologies ensured “complete powder consolidation” while achieving structural homogeneity and eliminating internal porosity and unconsolidated powder flaws.
The process could produce components with varying surface features and thicknesses, its board explained, with higher structural integrity than alternative production techniques.
It said the need for brazing or welding parts together to form larger structures was eliminated, and instead the finished article could be produced as one seamless component, largely avoiding the size limitations imposed by the constraints of 3D printing.
Different parts of a component could be formed from different alloys, Bodycote said, presenting what it called the “ideal” and “most cost-efficient” solution.
Component design could also be tailored to its actual performance requirements, rather than being limited by subsequent machining operations, the board added.
“Bodycote continues to invest in resources and capital for development in additive manufacturing technology to create significant value for customers and meet the future growth demands,” the company’s board said in its statement.
“As well as its Powdermet technologies, Bodycote provides a full range of heat treatment, hot isostatic pressing and electrical discharge machining services across North America and Europe tailored specifically to support the needs of companies manufacturing metal components utilising 3D printing.”