Automotive component from SLM Solutions system.
If there’s one company that would argue metal-based additive manufacturing took off in a big way in 2014 it's Germany based, SLM Solutions.
The leading provider in metal based additive manufacturing technology, smashed its expectations for the intake of new orders last year with a massive 112% growth in orders in comparison with 2013.
Compared with a total 25 machines ordered throughout the previous year, December 17, 2014, marked a total of eight SLM 125HL systems ordered along with 35 SLM 280HL machines, and 10 units of the SLM 500HL.
“As expected, we received most of our orders in the third and fourth quarters,” explained SLM Solutions CFO, Uwe Bögershausen. “This is not only connected with our customers' budget planning, but also with the fact that EuroMold is held in November. We were able to conclude additional business with our customers there, allowing us to once again accelerate our growth rate before the end of 2014.”
SLM Solutions flagship machines, SLM 500.
Back in November SLM Solutions received its largest individual order in its corporate history to date as a result of high demand from its attendance at the world’s leading moulding and tooling event, EuroMold.
Orders from expert additive manufacturing company, FIT Fruth Innovative Technologies GmbH included five of the brand’s flagship SLM 500HL machines for the production of components for the automotive industry.
SLM Solutions CEO, Dr. Markus Rechlin, added: “We received a total of seven so-called multi-machine orders – compared with not a single one last year. Secondly, we are seeing repeat purchases in North America, as well as orders from new customers in growth regions such as Japan. I am particularly pleased that our flagship SLM 500HL is being ordered increasingly frequently. Thanks to its multi-laser technology, this is the most productive laser melting system on the market – and clearly, the news is spreading.”
