One of the greatest joys in 3D printing is that you have so much latitude to create on your own, self-sustained with affordable and accessible hardware, software, and materials—allowing you to design and operate at whim. Whether you are a fashion designer enjoying 3D printing, an engineering student building a rocket, or even a cosmonaut bioprinting in space, the opportunity to innovate is at your fingertips, and available on your time. This is what allows genius to flow—and is also what has allowed the 3D printing industry to flourish; however, there are times when the concept you have in mind may be broader than the resources you possess. You may want to fabricate something bigger, badder, and better, and with alternative materials that can be difficult to come by. During such times, companies like Wisconsin’s ADDere Additive Manufacturing serve a vital purpose for innovators, whether on the individual or corporate level.
Operating as the Additive Manufacturing System division of Midwest Engineered Systems (MWES), ADDere offers a unique laser wire additive system for 3D metal printing. Their systems are capable of large-scale, near-net-shape metal printing, with an available build area of 1.2M x 0.5M x 0.4M (50” by 22” by 10”). According to their market research, this is three times the size of other metal-based systems, and as they will now be catering to outside printing projects (along with continuing to sell AM hardware). The huge build volumes of ADDere’s systems could make structural aircraft parts, car frame parts, impellers, blades and other industrial parts possible.
MWES expanded to create ADDere as a separate division so they could offer 3D printing with ‘exotic materials’ to include titanium, duplex stainless steel, and super alloys. Their printers can also deposit metal on parts made through more traditional processes too like casting, machining, or forging. Along with small batch production, ADDere will also offer large metal component repairs.
Close-up view of laserhead in motion.
“We’ve expanded into providing printing services as well as selling complete additive manufacturing systems as a way to open up this technology to firms who may not have the throughput to make the capital investment but would like to utilize its capabilities,” says Pete Gratschmayr, VP of Sales & Marketing, “The service is also a great way for firms to test out the process before making the investment. We’re confident ADDere printing services will exceed expectations.”
The ADDere closed loop system should lead to higher quality in printing, appealing to industries involved in manufacturing large equipment, as well as the aerospace companies, and the military.
“We see this technology opening a lot of doors in manufacturing large, complex and high-performance components for a number of industries, and others have too,” said Scott Woida, CEO of ADDere. “We’re excited to offer our knowledge and ability as a service to customers and see where we can take the technology.”
As part of MWES, ADDere now adds to 27 years of innovation and production systems integration. MWES has also been active in creating robotic automation solutions, catering to manufacturing companies in the US and around the globe.
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[Source / Images: ADDere]
MWES – ADDere Headquarters
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