To strengthen the metal additive-manufacturing (AM) industry, global engineering company Renishaw has initiated a collaboration with Sandvik Additive Manufacturing.

It will supply the company with high-productivity multi-laser RenAM 500Q systems, which feature 500W quad-lasers “for a radical increase in productivity, without compromising quality”.

These systems will complement Sandvik’s existing ‘printing’ technologies and strengthen its position in the growing AM market.

The two companies also intend to collaborate in areas that include materials development, AM process technologies and post-processing.

Robin Weston, marketing manager of Renishaw’s Additive Manufacturing Products Division (www.renishaw.com), said: “Renishaw is a leader and innovator in metal AM and metrology, making it the perfect AM partner for Sandvik — a company that is well established throughout the AM value chain.

"Sandvik also holds a leading position in fine-metal-powder for additive manufacturing — and the company has world-leading expertise when it comes to post-processing methods like machining, heat treatment and sintering.


"Our collaboration will strengthen Sandvik’s position during a period of rapid growth in the metal AM industries.”

Kristian Egeberg, president of Sandvik Additive Manufacturing, said: “Sandvik has a leading position within the AM metal powder market and has made significant investments in different AM printing-process technologies for metal components since 2013.

"The recent addition of multi-laser RenAM 500Q systems will complement our current printing portfolio; our collaboration with Renishaw will also benefit both parties when it comes to capitalising on the expected rapid growth of this technology.”

Sandvik (www.home.sandvik.com) has already invested almost 200 million euros in a new plant for making titanium and nickel powders for AM.