Materialise, a Belgian 3D printing software and services provider, has teamed up with ArcelorMittal Powders, a unit of the global steel manufacturer ArcelorMittal. The partnership aims to optimize the efficiency and quality of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) 3D printing.
The two parties have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) focused on integrating Materialise’s Build Processor software with ArcelorMittal Powders’ AdamIQ range of steel powders. It’s believed that this combination will boost LPBF setup, production speeds, part quality, and cost-efficiency, thus ushering in a new wave of metal 3D printing strategies.
“Our collaboration with Materialise supports our vision that the key to success in additive manufacturing is about finding the right blend of digital instructions and steel powders to deliver the best balance of quality and productivity in an application,” explained Aubin Defer, Chief Marketing Officer at ArcelorMittal Powders.
The Materialise Build Processor platform links data preparation software with 3D printers, allowing users to tailor 3D printing process parameters and enhance their workflows. The software also supports larger build volumes and more intricate geometries than many other offerings on the market.
The companies anticipate addressing the biggest productivity challenges in LPBF 3D printing in the coming years through their collaboration. “By enhancing processes and solutions, we aim to expand the applications and industries utilizing additive manufacturing. This partnership brings us closer to a future where 3D printing achieves its full potential, enabling mass customization and large-scale production,” commented Udo Eberlein, vice president of software at Materialise.
ArcelorMittal Powders’ long-term vision is to leverage its vast metallurgical and digital expertise to fully realize the potential of steel in additive manufacturing. This exciting collaboration with Materialise marks a significant step toward achieving that goal, improving operational throughput, reliability, and software solutions for their customers.
