To make the burning process more efficient, Kueppers Solutions has developed a mixing unit for natural gas burners that optimizes the combustion process with significant reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions. Due to its design, the application is only feasible in metal Additive Manufacturing. With GKN Additive, Kueppers Solutions has found a powerful partner for further market expansion.
“Together with the RWTH Aachen University, we have screened the entire market in order to find a suitable partner for the industrialization of our product. GKN Additive’s experience in series production and their application know-how across a broad range of industries is unique,” said Jens te Kaat, CEO of Kueppers Solutions.
Next steps and future milestones
Now, both partners focus on the ramp-up of the series production in selective laser melting (SLM) and the joint development of an individual material, engineered for the application. The next generation of the mixing unit will be manufactured in Metal Binder Jetting, the application is ideally suited for this process and will become more cost-effective.
“Climate change challenges us all to think of new ways to reduce emissions substantially,” said Guido Degen, President Additive Manufacturing at GKN Powder Metallurgy. “Kueppers’ mixing unit has made a significant contribution to preserving resources and with our experience across the whole AM value stream we will drive the industrialization of this product. Our common goal is to open up the market by upgrading thousands of outdated industrial burner systems with 3D-printed mixing units.”
_{(Source: GKN Additive)}