Norsk

Aerospace-grade, titanium additive manufacturing and 3D printing technology provider Norsk Titanium has started construction of a new 3,000m² rapid plasma deposition (RPD) machine assembly and test facility near Oslo, Norway.

Scheduled to be completed by October, the new facility will feature end-to-end aerospace ultra-lean manufacturing line.

The firm claimed that a MERKE IV rapid plasma deposition machine, along with a heat treating oven and a multi-axis CNC machining centre, will enable conversion of titanium wire into finished aerospace parts in a 30m-long production line.

Norsk Titanium operations senior vice-president Chris Bohlmann said: "Customer demand for our additive manufacturing technology is growing to the point where we need significantly more space to assemble and test our MERKE IV RPD machines prior to worldwide shipment.

"This new factory will enable us to better serve our manufacturing partners and aerospace customers while expanding our footprint in this innovative region of Norway."

"This new factory will enable us to better serve our manufacturing partners and aerospace customers while expanding our footprint in this innovative region of Norway."

Norsk Titanium CEO Warren Boley Jr said: "The new ultra-lean manufacturing line allows our customers to do hands-on development of new part programs on the same campus as our worldwide technology centre.

"Titanium wire comes in one end, the CAD drawing is input, and finished aerospace parts that are fully tested, heat-treated and ready for installation are produced in a matter of days.

"RPD truly is a game-changer in terms of cost reduction, speed to market and production line efficiency."

In January, the company delivered additive manufactured titanium aircraft parts produced through its patented rapid plasma deposition process to Premium AEROTEC for machining.

Image: Norsk Titanium executives break ground on the company’s new Oslo facility. Photo: courtesy of Norsk Titanium.