Deutsche Edelstahlwerke (DEW) is now making a big push: as an established powder manufacturer for 3D printing, the SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Group Company is speeding up the next stage of development with its Printdur metal powder portfolio. DEW is already including interested customers in the prototyping process and is developing complete manufacturing processes with them from the initial idea and alloy design through to the finished product.
Unlike mechanical manufacturing processes such as milling or turning, additive manufacturing builds up the component layer by layer. This method provides considerable flexibility in component design. A high-grade starting powder is essential. Deutsche Edelstahlwerke supplies a wide range of iron-, nickel- or cobalt-based atomised metal powders in its Printdur portfolio. The raw materials are liquefied in an induction oven and then added to a gas atomisation system. This is where the particles are shaped into spheres, guaranteeing excellent flow behaviour and effective dosage control for the powder. This means DEW’s own powders are eminently suitable for additive manufacturing.
Additive manufacturing with metal materials is primarily used in the aerospace industry, medical technology, tool-making and lightweight automotive construction. DEW aims to work as closely as possible with the customer on the manufacturing process.
Deutsche Edelstahlwerke manufactures all products on state-of-the-art additive manufacturing systems (AM systems) from the initial powder and semi-finished part through to the additive-manufactured component. DEW customers benefit from an extensive product variety in additive manufacturing. The steel experts already offer more than 200 materials in metal powders.
