MTA Singapore: Renishaw interview

Mr. Steve Bell, General Manager of ASEAN at Renishaw, believes that there is a huge potential for additive manufacturing.  He says that currently about 90% of uses are in educational institutions and R&D.  However this is set to change.  He sees increasing usage in the aerospace industry where it is important to retain strength while cutting down weight.  He also says there are growth in usage in design houses and manufacturing factories.

He says that it is a matter of time that the ratio of 90% will change drastically, especially in Asia where there is a huge manufacturing base.

Renishaw’s laser melting is a pioneering additive manufacturing process capable of producing fully dense metal parts direct from 3D CAD, using a high-powered fibre laser.  

Parts are built from a range of fine metal powders that are melted in a tightly controlled atmosphere, in layer thickness ranging from 20 to 100 microns.

The technology is already widely employed for the manufacture of custom medical implants, lightweight aerospace and motorsports parts, efficient heat exchangers, and injection molding inserts with conformal cooling channels.

The capability to safely process reactive materials such as titanium and aluminum is a standard feature on all Renishaw laser melting machines with safe systems for process emissions and powder handling.  Laser melting machine users also benefit from minimal waste product as over 98% of the material is reusable after refinement in the Renishaw powder conditioning system.

Mr. Bell says that what differentiate Renishaw are that they are manufacturing system expert and they take a holistic approach to providing solutions.  He introduces the concept of Renishaw’s Productive Process Pyramid.  Process variation is the enemy of competitiveness and profitability.  It causes waste and inefficiency, leads to high quality costs and manning levels and results in late deliveries and poor traceability.

Mr. Bell says the secret to consistent, automated and productive machining is to understand where variation comes from and to deal with it at source.  The Productive Process Pyramid provides a framework within which to identify and control variation in the factory, backed by innovative technology, proven methods and expert support. 
 

Please click here for a video interview.

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