Sandvik's Cemented Carbide Allows 3D Printing in Hardest Materials
Sandvik recently introduced its additively manufactured cemented carbides -- allowing for one of the hardest materials available to be 3D printed into virtually any shape.
Sandvik has been working with cemented carbides since 1932 providing, for instance, metal cutting- and mining tools such as turning inserts, end-mills, and drill bits. Now, the world leader in hard materials broadens its offering to also include superiorly wear-resistant components free from design restrictions -- enabled by a unique material developed through a proprietary and patented process.
Anders Ohlsson, Lead Product Manager at Sandvik Additive Manufacturing, comments: "The most critical component in our process is working with powders that have the just-right properties. Above all, high density crucially impacts the quality achievable in terms of material properties and geometry. Sandvik has developed both a powder and a process that are unique. Our powders are optimized to print components that look great, work well, and are fit for use in actual applications, demanding environments, and serial production.
"It's also well worth mentioning the ability to 3D print cemented carbide speeds up our time-to-market rather dramatically. Prototyping used to take 6-12 months -- and now our lead time to date is a matter of weeks."
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