Released: Thursday 14 May 2020
Cooksongold AM and Sempsa JP, part of the Heimerle + Meule Group, have announced today that they are working to innovate glass fibre production by 3D Printing (also known as Additive Manufacturing) the Tip Plates of Bushings made from Precious Metal.
Working in partnership with the Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University (ITA) and EOS GmbH (EOS), Cooksongold AM have produced a full-size Tip Plate from a Platinum/Rhodium alloy that has successfully passed its initial production trials at Johns Manville in Slovakia.
Cooksongold AM has been working with EOS for several years to industrialise their M 080 and M 100 AM machines and make them compatible with precious metals. Cooksongold AM has also developed a wide range of precious metal parameters for use in the EOS AM technology.
The ability to now print with precious metals on an industrial scale and, through innovative AM strategies, optimise applications to make them commercially viable, is proving a powerful technology enabler. Combine this with the research being carried out at ITA as well as the manufacturing expertise and history of Sempsa JP, it now becomes a seismic step forward to the Additive Manufacturing technology being rolled out, on a global scale, for Industrial Production of precious metal applications. The ITA is a key partner in transferring the consortium’s additive manufacturing expertise to the glass fibre industry.
To facilitate this ‘revolution’ AMPS (Advanced Manufacturing Process Solutions) GmbH has been established. It will act as a ‘technology showcase’ for the complete new manufacturing process chain as well as provide R&D and prototyping services. Glass fibre companies from around the world were quick to join up and it has been structured to suit every participant’s individual needs. A ‘cost-sharing’ environment, free of intellectual property, sits above individual research and development ‘cells’, where all the commercially sensitive work takes place. This novel way of collaboration is identifying innovation that will continue to advance glass fibre production beyond recognition over the next decade.
As a result of this unique approach to worldwide technology implementation, the members of the collaboration were awarded the ‘JEC Composites Magazine Special Prize’ on 13 May online for the first time due to recent global health crises , recognising the true potential for AM within the glass fibre industries.
Martin Bach, Managing Director of Cooksongold says
“I am incredibly proud to be receiving the JEC Magazine Special Prize but even more proud of my team, who have managed to bring together a global collaboration in such a way that it is poised to deliver game-changing material and design innovation and efficiencies in production, that could’ve only been dreamed of a few short years ago”
Prof. Thomas Gries, Director of ITA says
“We are excited to be receiving this prestigious award for our work in the field of additive manufacturing for bushings. We truly believe that the developments will be a key enabler for future innovations in the field of glass fibre production, and I am proud of my team of researchers and our collaborators to have made this possible. As an institute developing processes, equipment and machinery, ITA goes beyond just developing fibre and textile products. Digital manufacturing of the bushings allows us to step across existing process innovation borders and allows production and product innovation never seen before.”
Thomas Weitlaner, Director of Additive Minds & Business Development of EOS adds
“At EOS we are working every day to make industrial 3D printing a sustainable, mainstream manufacturing process. The 3D printing of tip plates is another great example, how additive manufacturing can bring real business value and innovation to the glass fibre industry. Additionally we see a lot more promising applications that can further increase the efficiency of the glass fibre production process. The combination of such innovative applications and the setup of Additive Manufacturing in the Digital Factory will result in huge innovation potential.
I am very proud of the joint team effort so far which is confirmed by receiving this prestigious JEC award and look forward to the outcomes of the consortium project.”
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For further information please contact either
Nikesh Patel: E nikesh.patel@cooksongold.com T +44 (0) 121 212 6496
(Marketing and Publicity)
Ian Campbell: E ian.campbell@cooksongold.com T +44 (0) 7971 112 616
(Technology and Production)
About Cooksongold and Sempsa JP:
Cooksongold has over 100 years of expertise in precious metals in every form. Cooksongold Additive Manufacturing (AM) creates Direct Metal 3D Printing solutions for industries across the world. Cooksongold AM is a division on Cooksongold which is part of the Heimerle + Meule Group.
Sempsa JP is a leading manufacturer and supplier of precious metals and has a longstanding history within the glass fibre industry. The company is part of the Heimerle + Meule Group.
About Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University (ITA):
The Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University (ITA) is a leading research institute in the field of textile engineering. Within the institute, the research group for inorganic fibres is one of the leading research groups worldwide in the field of glass fibre production.
About EOS:
EOS is the world’s leading technology supplier in the field of industrial 3D printing of metals and polymers. Formed in 1989, the independent company is a pioneer and innovator for comprehensive solutions in additive manufacturing. Its product portfolio of EOS systems, materials, and process parameters gives customers crucial competitive advantages in terms of product quality and the long-term economic sustainability of their manufacturing processes. Furthermore, customers benefit from deep technical expertise in global service, applications engineering, and consultancy.