It specializes in advanced additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, particularly in the areas of 3D printing and direct energy deposition (DED). These cutting-edge technologies are used in aerospace and defence applications to enable more efficient manufacturing processes, enhance part performance, and reduce costs. By leveraging these innovations, industries can create more complex and durable components, streamline production workflows, and achieve higher precision, ultimately driving advancements in both performance and sustainability.
Product Capabilities for Aerospace and Defence
Blisk Repairing
LENS additive manufacturing technology is an ideal solution for blisk repairs because it offers precise, efficient, and high-quality restoration of damaged parts. By using laser-based metal deposition, this technology can restore the intricate geometries, materials, and mechanical properties of the blisk, ensuring its continued high performance in turbine and jet engine applications. The technology also reduces costs, waste, and downtime, making it a valuable solution for the aerospace and power generation industries. With its ability to deliver reliable, on-demand repairs, this approach helps extend the life of critical components, improve operational efficiency, and reduce the need for expensive replacements.
Aircraft Blade Repairing
LENS 3D printing technology is revolutionizing aircraft blade repair by enabling precision restoration of turbine blades using additive manufacturing. The technology provides cost-effective, efficient, and high-quality repairs that restore the blades to their original strength and performance. By reducing material waste, minimizing downtime, and improving the durability of repaired parts, this solution helps extend the lifespan of critical aircraft components, ensuring safe and efficient operation in the aviation industry. This approach not only enhances operational reliability but also contributes to significant cost savings and sustainability in aircraft maintenance. Furthermore, it allows for on-site repairs, reducing the need for costly part replacements and improving overall fleet availability.
Additive repair of Turbine Parts
Additive manufacturing technologies, especially the LENS® system, offer significant benefits for the repair of turbine parts. By using precision metal deposition to restore damaged areas, this technology enables fast, cost-effective, and high-quality repairs that extend the life of expensive turbine components like blades, vanes, and other high-stress parts. Overall, additive repair technology for turbines provides a precise, efficient, and sustainable way to extend the life of critical turbine parts, reducing the need for costly replacements and improving the reliability and performance of turbines. This approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also supports long-term cost savings and sustainability in industrial applications.
Explore Optomec 3D Printers
3D Metal Printer
Unleashing precision and power- 3D Metal Printer transforms metal powder into complex, high-performance parts with laser precision, layer by layer
3D Electronic Printer
Precision in every print- 3D Electronic Printer delivers fine-featured circuits and components directly onto substrates with unmatched accuracy
Trends
Hybrid Manufacturing
Implementing both Additive and Subtractive Metalworking on a Cost-Effective CNC Platform. Hybrid Metal Manufacturing holds significant potential for industrial manufacturers. This approach refers to the integration of metal additive manufacturing (AM) with traditional subtractive techniques, allowing both processes to operate on the same machine and even on the same part. Hybrid Manufacturing helps minimize the risks and costs involved in adopting metal AM technology, offering a more practical and gradual solution for industrial manufacturers.
Materials Discovery
LENS technology enables researchers to speed up R&D and quickly produce innovative materials with outstanding quality. VIEW WEBINAR Developing a new material using traditional methods can take decades. While simulation techniques have advanced, physical material samples still need to be created and tested. Conventional manufacturing methods are expensive, time-consuming, and typically allow for the evaluation of only one material chemistry at a time industrial applications.
3D Microstructures
3D printing allows for the creation of micron-scale smart structures. ACCESS WHITEPAPER Customers are leveraging 3D printing to enhance their manufacturing capabilities for next-generation product needs. This technology enables the production of functional components from materials like polymers and metals without requiring extra manufacturing steps. The direct digital manufacturing process of 3D printing optimizes product functionality, reduces process steps, and minimizes material usage, making it both a cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Internet Of Things
Optomec enables both consumer and industrial devices to become smart and connected through 3D printed sensors and antennas for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. With its high-volume production capabilities, Optomec can print conformal electronics like sensors and antennas onto various substrates, positioning the company as a crucial partner in advancing IoT technology. The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the network of physical devices, or "things," that are equipped with the ability to sense, collect, analyse, and transmit data.
Alternative Energy
Aerosol Jet technology boosted the efficiency of silicon solar cells by 20%. ACCESS FRAUNHOFER REPORT Aerosol Jet deposition systems allow for the creation of higher-efficiency solar cells compared to traditional screen-printing methods. This technology enables the printing of fine-feature collector lines and bus-bar lines at room temperature, without the need for masks or stencils. Aerosol Jet is a Direct Write™ process that doesn't require contact, allowing photovoltaic materials to be deposited onto both flat and curved substrates.
