Another Nikon SLM Solutions large-format NXG metal additive manufacturing platform is making its way into the aerospace and defence sectors.
Hypermetal, a European provider of large-scale metal additive manufacturing to both segments, has purchased a Nikon SLM NXG XII 600 system to support the manufacture of larger, flight-critical components at greater speeds and consistency. Hypermetal says it will use the machine to produce functional components and demonstrators for propulsion systems, structural assemblies, and thermal management applications, with plans to expand to applications featuring complex geometries, lightweight structures, and high-performance materials, such as Inconel, across other industrial sectors.
“This investment marks an important step in Hypermetal’s growth,” said Afonso Nogueira, Founder and CEO of Hypermetal. “By adding the Nikon SLM NXG system to our production capabilities, we are strengthening our ability to support demanding aerospace and defense programs with certified, high-quality additive manufacturing. We see this as a strategic move toward deeper integration in the European advanced manufacturing supply chain.”
Laura Griffiths
This investment is part of Hypermetal’s approved project under Portugal 2030 – Productive Innovation, a national funding program that supports companies in adopting advanced technologies and expanding industrial capabilities. In a formal letter of endorsement, the Portuguese Space Agency (PT Space) recognised Hypermetal’s contribution to strengthening Portugal’s and Europe’s independent access to space, specifically with laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) for propulsion systems and other mission-critical applications.
“Hypermetal represents exactly the type of forward-looking partner driving the European AM ecosystem forward,” said Sam O’Leary, CEO of Nikon SLM Solutions. “Their investment in the NXG XII 600 underscores how industrial-scale metal AM is evolving from an experimental technology to a trusted production tool for critical applications in aerospace and defense. Together, we’re enabling a more resilient, capable, and independent European manufacturing supply chain.”
