AddLab, a pilot plant for 3D printed metal parts in Eindhoven, will now operate as K3D-AddFab. The center is jointly operated by four Dutch companies precision manufacturer KMWE, mechatronics supplier NTS-Group, metal manufacturer Machinefabriek De Valkwill and metal 3D printing service K3D. K3D-AddFab is said to increase production of metal 3D printed parts for high-tech equipment and aerospace applications.
KMWE CEO Edward Voncken said, "Within K3DAddFab, we will jointly develop projects for aerospace customers such as the high-tech industry and air customers."
Metal 3D printing oil filter made by K3D. Picture from K3D.
AddLab began in 2013 as a shared research and production facility for metal 3D printing. Additive Industries, a manufacturer of metal 3D printers based in Eindhoven, is its organizational partner. Other partners include KMWE, NTS Group, Frencken Europe, Machinefabriek De Valk, FMI, MTA, Philips Innovation Services, Kaak Group, Brainport Industries, De Lage Landen and SRE.
In 2016, AddLab plans to become AddFab under the supervision of KMWE, NTS Group and Machinefabriek De Valk. Some other partners have invested in internal facilities, such as baking equipment maker Kaak Group, and he purchased two MetalFAB1 3D printers. K3D has now been named an organizational partner of K3D-AddFab and currently has a metal 3D printing facility called Printing Technology Center near Eindhoven.
To support K3D-AddFab, Additive Industries will provide research and technical support. In addition, another MetalFAB1 system will be installed at the Brainport Industries Campus High-Tech Innovation Center in Eindhoven, led by KMWE CEO Edward Voncken. "To us, K3D-AddFab will be a test platform for distributed manufacturing in demanding markets, as well as an additional training and demonstration center near our headquarters," said Jan-Cees Santema, Additive Industries' European sales director.
Additive Industries' MetalFAB1 3D Printer
At K3D's Printing Technology Center, five Dutch companies currently benefit from metal 3D printing facilities. Bronkhorst is a manufacturer of flow meters and controllers, Copal is a manufacturer of unloading and palletizing systems, Hittech Group is a metal specialist and high-tech system supplier, Van Raam special needs bicycle manufacturer, and Royal Eijkelkamp is a soil and water research company.
K3D-AddFab will be the second 3D printing facility under K3D management. K3D CEO Luuk Wissink said, "We are proud to bring our unique collaboration in the field of industrial additive manufacturing to the next stage and expand to the mass production of high-tech equipment parts and aerospace parts. The K3D-AddFab team It will become an integral part of the K3D 3D printing center network, enabling load balancing, quantity sharing and material pooling. "