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Norsk Titanium & SAE International Develop First Directed Energy Deposition Specifications for Additive Manufacturing Professionals Worldwide

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Feb. 15, 2019 – Officials of Norsk Titanium (Norsk), the global leader in additive manufacturing of aerospace-grade titanium components, and SAE International (SAE) are pleased to announce the release of the first specifications for direct energy deposition additive manufacturing. The specifications utilize Norsk’s Rapid Plasma Deposition™ (RPD™) process and material requirements, which are currently used by many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). With the release of the SAE Aerospace Materials Specifications (AMS) documents the process will be available to a broader base of users across the world.

“Our engineers have thoroughly enjoyed working with the SAE team to validate our proprietary process with the engineering community,” said Norsk President and CEO Michael Canario. “RPD™ is truly a disruptive process to the current subtractive manufacturing industry with wide benefits supporting not only the supplier, but the end-user.”   

Developed within the SAE Additive Manufacturing Committee (SAE AMS-AM), these specifications establish the minimum basis required for the procurement of RPD™ Preforms from Norsk by an aerospace or non-aerospace customer. In addition, these specifications support the regulatory certification process by ensuring consistent process and quality control. The release of AMS7004 Titanium Alloy Preforms from Plasma Arc Directed Energy Deposition Additive Manufacturing on Substrate Ti-6Al-4V Stress Relieved and AMS7005 Wire Fed Plasma Arc Directed Energy Deposition Additive Manufacturing Process are milestone achievements for the metal additive manufacturing industry. 

“Given that advanced materials and advanced manufacturing are strategic focus areas for SAE International, we continue to support the aerospace industry’s advances and adoption of additive manufacturing technologies. As well as contributing vital technical expertise, Norsk Titanium played a leadership role as document sponsor in the development of the groundbreaking new specifications and along with the other AMS-AM output, these new material and process specifications help address the regulatory authorities’ request for guidance material for this critical emerging technology,” said David Alexander, Director, Aerospace Standards at SAE International. 

Established by aerospace industry leaders in 2015 and supported by a Federal Aviation Administration tasking request, SAE’s AMS-AM Committee continues to develop aerospace material specifications (SAE AMS) for metal and polymer AM to support the needs of the aerospace industry. Over 500 global participants from more than 20 countries representing aircraft, spacecraft, and engine OEMs, material suppliers, operators, equipment/system suppliers, service providers, regulatory authorities, and defense agencies are involved in the committee. 

For more information on Norsk, visit www.norsktitanium.com. 

About Norsk Titanium AS

Norsk Titanium is a global leader in metal 3D printing, innovating the future of metal manufacturing by enabling a paradigm shift to a clean and sustainable manufacturing process. With its proprietary Rapid Plasma Deposition® (RPD®) technology and 700 MT of production capacity, Norsk Titanium offers cost-efficient 3D printing of value-added metal parts to a large addressable market. RPD® technology uses significantly less raw material, energy, and time than traditional energy-intensive forming methods, presenting customers with an opportunity to better manage input costs, logistics, and environmental impact. RPD® printed parts are already flying on commercial aircraft, and Norsk Titanium has gained significant traction with large defense and industrial customers

About SAE International

SAE International is a global association committed to being the ultimate knowledge source for the engineering profession. By engaging nearly 200,000 engineers, technical experts and volunteers each year, we drive knowledge and expertise across a broad spectrum of industries. We act on two priorities: encouraging a lifetime of learning for mobility engineering professionals and setting the standards for industry engineering. We strive for a better world through the work of our philanthropic SAE Foundation, including programs like A World in Motion® and the Collegiate Design Series™. www.sae.org.