‘Real-World’ parts for
production and prototyping
In Stainless Steel 316L and 15-5ph, Titanium 64, Inconel 718 (high temp alloy)
and Aluminium (AlSi10Mg)
RAM3D believes the
world has, at long
last, woken up to the
benefits of additive manufacturing
(AM). For 10
years the company has
been leading the way in metal 3D
printing in the southern hemisphere.
Kiwi-owned and Tauranga-based,
it prints parts for a range of
world-wide industries.
The sectors it serves include
aerospace, defence, marine, food
manufacturing, industrial and
speciality and oil and gas.
The technology has greatly
advanced over the past five years
and they have seen a shift from
prototyping to include full production
work. This is a result of the early
adopters of the technology starting
to move their projects increasingly
through the project stage.
The two key drivers to this
transition are:
1. Designers have recognised that
the technology opens different
design avenues. They can look
at the areas of function and load
and only place material where it
is needed. This design freedom
results in a highly optimised part
in both functionality and cost.
2. The cost of production by 3D
printing has reduced. RAM3D
operates seven machines (instead
of one or two), so it has been able
to cover overheads and apply the
lessons the company has learned
over time to refine the process;
ultimately bringing benefits to its
clients.
Many of the industries RAM3D
engages with have non-disclosure
agreements in place, so it can’t
usually talk about its clients or
the parts they print for them, but
the company’s latest project with
Oceania Defence is an exception.
Case study - Oceania
Defence
Oceania Defence was an early
adopter of additive manufacturing
technology and has been able to
secure patents on suppressors
made by metal 3D printing.
The journey started with Bert
Wilson, owner of Oceania Defence,
sketching up some designs and
deciding to try 3D printing the
suppressors. RAM3D was able to
develop strategies to overcome
the challenges of making the very
complex geometries involved, while
at the same time Oceania Defence
was learning what would offer
the best outcome from a design
perspective.
RAM3D and Oceania Defence have
been working in collaboration since
2012. Together, after rigorous design
research and testing, they have the
most desired outcome, a suppressor
which is highly efficient, lightweight,
compact and, most importantly, cost
effective.
Oceania Defence supplies
suppressors for the defence and
law enforcement sectors. Its inconel
suppressor has been selected
by Thales Australia for their EF88
assault rifle, currently in service with
the Australian Defence Force.
Oceania Defence’s suppressor was
put through an extensive evaluation
procedure alongside suppressor
manufacturers from Europe, USA
and Australia, before being awarded
the contract. The suppressors are
for semi and fully automatic rifles.
Oceania Defence’s suppressor was
selected on its performance, light
weight and value for money.
Metal 3D printing potential
RAM3D knows that metal 3D
printing is a competitive production
technology with an unprecedented
potential for industry. It works with
companies to improve the design
of production parts and 3D printing
them makes them more efficient and
cost effective.
The diversity of parts RAM3D manufactures
ranges from parts for the
oil and gas industry to customised
handlebar extensions for the New
Zealand Olympics Cycling Team, as
well as Oceania Defence’s inconel
and titanium suppressors.
Why choose RAM3D as your
AM bureau?
• It has 10 years’ experience in the
AM industry.
• It prints with the following metals,
Stainless Steel 15-5ph and 316L,
Inconel 718, Titanium 64 and
aluminium. It will be introducing
Maraging steel - a tool steel - in
2020.
• RAM3D can advise on design
and offer support to those doing
design.
• Heat treatment is another area
they offer. Again, rather than just
use the processes outlined by the
machine suppliers, RAM3D spends
time working with clients to define
the goals of the heat treatment
and develop a process to achieve
the desired outcomes.
• Quality control – the company
undertakes tensile testing
with every build and uses
this information to guide its
processes looking for areas that
can be improved. As a result, its
powder management is a long
way removed from the system
and processes that come with
the machines when they are
purchased. RAM3D has also
built its own systems for handling
powder and ensuring it is within
spec to deliver consistently
high-quality parts.
• Post-processing options – the
RAM3D standard finish includes
media blasting that gives a
more uniform finish. It also offers
vibratory polishing (the part is
immersed in mixed ceramic media
and left for a period of time) and
hand polishing.
How to start your metal 3D
printing project
• Product developers often have a
clear idea, design and vision of
what they can create with additive
manufacturing and the SLM
process. They often make contact
through the company’s website
https://www.ram3d.co.nz/ or
email info@ram3d.co.nz with their
projects and queries.
• Read more about the industries
RAM3D works with https://www.
ram3d.co.nz/case-studies
• Many other enquires come via the
‘Request a Quote’ on its website
(online click-thru) https://www.
ram3d.co.nz/request-a-quote.
• Follow and like RAM3D on
Instagram @ram3dprinting or
www.facebook.com/ram3dprinting
www.engineeringnews.co.nz 31
/ram3dprinting
/www
/www
/
/www.engineeringnews.co.nz
link