Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing (KAM) has partnered with Elementum 3D to create new opportunities for entry into the additive manufacturing (AM) industry. Elementum 3D is supplying KAM with advanced materials for AM such as A6061-RAM2 powder that, according to the company, is the only AM material comparable to wrought 6061-T6 properties.
"Aluminum 6061 is a commonly used aerospace and automotive aluminum alloy that was previously unprintable," said a spokesperson. "KAM will be the first and only supplier in North America to use 6061 in an SLM 280 printer. The combination of the SLM 280, which boasts twin 700w lasers, plus the Elementum 3D 6061 powder, will not only allow KAM to print at faster speeds, but will allow the hybrid manufacturing company to do so in material that could not otherwise be accomplished. The 6061 will print an average of 65% faster in the SLM 280 and provide a big advantage in time savings to end users. This breakthrough advancement in AM is a major step forward for both companies."
"Elementum 3D's commitment to the development of advanced materials aligns well with KAM's innovative growth plan based around hybrid manufacturing," said Jacob Nuechterlein, Elementum 3D President and founder. "We are proud to partner with their team and evolve our technologies together. There is increasing demand within our customer base for aluminums like the 6061.
Developing and using the 6061 material effectively will allow KAM to go after markets such as aerospace and automotive that currently use AlSi10Mg as the standard material.
"This opens up a lot of doors for us and widens our overall capabilities offerings," said Kevin Cwiok, Lead AM Engineer for KAM. "To offer a replacement for traditional aluminum alloys that are not only faster, but are also more durable with better surface finish, I think we will have a lot of customers who will be really excited about that."
Elementum 3D and KAM will also work jointly on different development projects in additive, including the testing of new materials. Based in Erie, Colorado, Elementum 3D's materials solutions increase product strength and durability and reduce weight. Elementum 3D's IP technology, reactive additive manufacturing (RAM), prohibits cracking that usually happens during solidification, while achieving or exceeding the same properties of the traditional alloys. Additionally, Elementum 3D's ability to develop customized materials to match wrought properties, such as the 6061, provide a solution to materials that are not printable in their current form.
"Elementum 3D's materials enable KAM to engineer and manufacture metal 3D-printed parts that are faster and higher in quality than anything that is currently out in the marketplace," said Brad Keselowski, founder and CEO of KAM. I think we are going to continue to do a lot of innovative work together that will lead to positive developments within the additive community."
For more information contact:
Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing
258 W. Aviation Dr.
Statesville, NC 28677
704-799-0206
www.kamsolutions.com
Elementum 3D
400 Young Court
Erie, CO 80516
720-545-9016
www.elementum3d.com