Laser Prototypes (Europe) Ltd (LPE), has made biggest ever investment with the purchase of a £500,000 metal sintering machine that will allow it to offer 3D printed aluminium, stainless steel and titanium parts.
Metal sintering is viewed as a quantum leap forward in manufacturing for numerous industries including aerospace, motor racing and medical. Many view metal sintering as a long term game changer for manufacturers as this technology is revolutionary in terms of the design flexibility that it offers.
This process builds components layer by layer, making it possible to design organic geometries, complex internal features and challenging passages that could not be cast or machined. Parts can be printed to have similar mechanical and physical properties to wrought metal and can achieve high density (above 99%).
Speaking of the investment, Managing Director of LPE, Tom Walls said: “This is a massive investment and step forward for LPE in terms of our expansion into the metal sintering market. The substantial value of this investment reflects our confidence in this new technology and demonstrates our commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation in this fast moving industry.
“Metal Sintering greatly reduces time and financial costs compared to traditional manufacturing of components. This new innovation removes the constraints of traditional manufacturing allowing our customers freedom to design efficient, lightweight parts. It offers an ideal solution for the cost effective production of prototypes or final production components, regardless of complexity of design.”
LPE has offered specialist 3D printing, rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing services for over 25 years.
It offers a range of manufacturing and finishing services to customers in automotive, motorsport, medical, TV and film, defence, and electronics industries.
(Photo Caption: Bill Montogomery of Invest NI and Dr Lelsie Orr of ADS Northern Ireland join Tom Walls (centre) of Laser Prototypes (Europe) (LPE))