The ultimate goal of this pilot project is to cover the entire value chain – from equipment supply to the finished product – creating a new model of factory based on 3D manufacturing, network infrastructure and digital processes accessible to several partners, and intensive training activities of the technical staff involved.
The project, partially funded by the European Regional Development Fund in the framework of Lombardy Region’s Research and Development Agreements, will last 30 months for a total investment of € 6.6 million, involving eleven partners from Lombardy, north-western Italian region, two universities (Politecnico di Milano and Università di Pavia), three big industries (Tenova, BLM, and GF Machining Solutions), and six SMEs (TTM Laser, 3D-NT, GFM, Fubri, Co. Stamp, and Officine Meccaniche G. Lafranconi).
“Metal additive manufacturing (AM), also known as metal 3D printing, makes possible to produce complex three-dimensional objects starting directly from a 3D CAD model by adding material layer by layer, without the design constraints of traditional manufacturing routes” explained Enrico Malfa, Metals R&D Director, “No longer solely a prototyping technology and in spite of today limitation in size and available metal powders, AM is now emerging as a competitive process for the production of series components for the most demanding applications while reducing material inventory”.
All business units of Tenova Metals are involved in the implementation of MADE4LO to define the most cost/effective equipments for metal powder production process, to select, design and test the metal components to produce by AM, and to design and manufacturing of a heating treatment furnace to be installed at Pomini factory within Tenova HQs.
“For Tenova digital innovation is a crucial factor in the creation of added value to the client. MADE4LO represents an important opportunity to achieve concrete outcomes in the development of additive manufacturing for metal components, a technology that affects us both as users and as plant engineers. Our goal is to become a key player in this sector in order to provide our clients with effective solutions which will make them more dynamic and competitive on the market” affirmed Andrea Lovato, CEO.
_{(Source: Tenova S.p.A)}