On the eve of Le Bourget Paris Air Show, Prodways Group, a subsidiary of Groupe Gorgé, presents its new RAF Technology (Rapid Additive Forging) for the 3D metal printing of large titanium parts.
Large metal parts for critical applications, in particular titanium parts for the aeronautical sector, relies on expensive and slow manufacturing processes often using combinations of forging and machining techniques. Certain titanium parts have manufacturing lead times of more than 12 months and implies significant metal wastes.
Prodways Group's Rapid Additive Forging technology was built on a continuous R&D effort and a strengthening of its 3D metal printing offering. The 3D printer developed uses a robot equipped with a head depositing molten metal in an atmosphere of inert gas. Accordingly, the metal is deposited layer-by-layer and the large part is completed within a few hours. This innovative technology quickly manufactures titanium blanks with very similar geometry compared with the final part. These blanks are then finish-machined, thus avoiding considerable losses of material which can represent up to 95% of the metal block with traditional machining processes.
The RAF Technology was developed in collaboration with Commercy Robotique, a subsidiary of Groupe Gorgé specialised in robotised welding for more than 40 years. A patent application was filed by Prodways Group.
This process has been tested on various metals. In particular, it is used to print titanium, a metal seeing increased use in new-generation aircraft. The third generation of the prototype is able to produce parts of more than 70 centimetres in size. Prodways Group is currently developing a version which would print parts of up to 2 metres in the main dimension.
With respect to other comparable technologies developed by market players, the Prodways Group's Rapid Additive Forging technology uses a distinctive metal deposition technology focusing on the metallurgical quality and the repeatability of the process. The first metallurgical tests conducted on different parts revealed an absence of porosity and greater mechanical resistance compared with usual 3D metal printing techniques using laser or electron beam sintering.
Prodways Group will regularly provide updates on developments in this technology, which has already attracted the interest of several leading industrial groups.Several players in the aeronautical industry believe this technology family could be applied to nearly 50% of the titanium parts used to manufacture an aircraft and generate savings of up to 50% on the cost of parts.
- About Prodways Groupwww.prodways-bourse.com
PRODWAYS GROUP is a specialist in industrial and professional 3D printing with a unique positioning as an integrated European player. The group has developed right across the 3D printing value chain (machines, materials, parts & services) with a high value added technological industrial solution. PRODWAYS GROUP offers a wide range of 3D printing systems and premium composite, hybrid and powder materials (SYSTEMS division). The company also manufactures and markets parts on demand, prototypes and small production run 3D printed items in plastic and metal (PRODUCTS division). The Group targets a significant number of sectors, from aeronautics to healthcare.
In 2016, the company generated revenue of €25.2 million, including 58% outside of France. Building on revolutionary and proprietary technology, MOVINGLight®, PRODWAYS GROUP today has global visibility in the industrial 3D printing sector and with leading customers.
PRODWAYS GROUP is a Groupe Gorgé company.
For further information: www.prodways-bourse.com
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INVESTOR CONTACTS
Prodways Group – Raphaël Gorgé
Chairman and CEO
Tel: +33 (0)144 779480
Actus Finance – Natacha Morandi
Investors Relations
Tel: +33 (0)153 673694/nmorandi@actus.fr
Actus Finance – Anne-Pauline Petureaux
Investor Relations
Tel: +33 (0)153 673672/ apetureaux@actus.fr
PRESS CONTACTS Prodways – Cindy Mannevy Communication Manager Tel: +33 (0)130 229384/c.mannevy@prodways.com Actus Finance – Jean-Michel Marmillon Financial Press Relations Tel: +33 (0)153 673673/jmmarmillon@actus.fr Image 7 – Lauranne Guirlinger Corporate Press Relations Tel: +33 (0)153 707418/lguirlinger@image7.fr |
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Releases from the Prodways Group may contain forward-looking declarations with statements of objectives. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations of the Prodways Group. Their realization, however, depends on known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or events to differ significantly from those previously anticipated. The risks and uncertainties that might affect the Group's future ability to achieve its targets are reiterated and presented in detail in our Basis Document available on the Prodways Group's website (www.prodways-bourse.com). This list of risks, uncertainties and other factors is not exhaustive. Other unanticipated, unknown or unpredictable factors may also have significant negative effects on the achievement of our objectives.
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