Divergent and SLM join forces for automotive AM

Metal Powder Report  Volume 00, Number 00  July 2017

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

Additive Manufacturing Divergent and SLM join forces for automotive AM Divergent 3D, which makes 3D printing software, has entered into a strategic development partnership with SLM Solutions Group, a manufacturer of 3D metal printing equipment. The companies plan to develop specific hardware and software for highvolume production of vehicles incorporating additive manufacturing (AM). Divergent 3D’s software-hardware platform enabled by 3D metal printing is designed to improve the economics and environmental impact of designing and manufacturing complex structures such as cars. Additive manufacturing has long been used throughout the auto industry for small-scale pilot programs focused on developing individual 3D-printed components for production. Divergent 3D and SLM Solutions’ objective is to build lighter, structurally safe, more cost-efficient and environmentally responsible automobiles.

View of a 3D printed chassis from top down (Photo courtesy Business Wire).

‘By working together with Divergent, we can help to provide manufacturers with the tools to build more profitable, innovative and environmentally sustainable vehicles while dramatically reducing manufacturing

capital cost and providing almost unlimited design flexibility,’ said Hans-Joachim Ihde, chairman of the supervisory board and founder of SLM Solutions. SLM Solutions; www.slm-solutions.com

0026-0657/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mprp.2017.06.057

1 Please cite this article in press as: Met. Powder Rep. (2017), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mprp.2017.06.057