advances in metallic AM at EWI

With 30 years of heritage in providing value to clients in the aerospace market, EWI continues to expand capabilities and services to the industry.  Most significant in these terms is the growth, since the formation of the Additive Manufacturing Consortium (AMC) in 2009, of capability in metallic AM.   Since the start of America Makes, EWI has become a valuable partner in helping to address the manufacturing readiness level  (MRL) of this important technology.   AMC and its almost 30 partners have conducted significant work for alloys such as 625 and 718, and is now working on a JIP for structural aluminum alloys.  EWI has acquired Arcam A2X capability in our new Buffalo facility, along with that of EOS M280 DMLS in Columbus, to address aerospace industry needs associated with both powder bed technologies, both on a proprietary as well as a consortium basis.  Working with America Makes and its partners, EWI leads a major program to evaluate an array of sensors for in-process monitoring in the powder bed environment. 

Through IRD, EWI continues to address other technologies such as laser and arc welding for large part builds and mechanical property evaluation, with capability for 9-axis robotic part build up to 40’x12’x 12’ (10mx3.5mx3.5m) for demonstration articles.   EWI’s Buffalo site has a capital budget allowing acquisition of further large equipment to expand capabilities to EBAM, large format laser blown powder, and hybrid AM (integrated AM build and machining) capability through selective partnering with machine builders.