REM Surface Engineering has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Nikon Advanced Manufacturing (Nikon AM) and Constellium to develop optimised surface finishing processes for metal for additive manufacturing.
The trio are working together to advance REM’s Chemical Polishing and Chemical-Mechanical Polishing processes for laser powder bed fusion with Constellium’s Aheadd CP1 aluminium powder.
According to a press release, the material has generated interest from users in the aerospace, defense, motorsport and semiconductor sectors due to its high level of printability and single-step heat treatment. The aim of this deal is to provide faster, more cost-effective implementation for applications such as aerospace structural components, RF waveguides, and heat exchangers.
Justin Michaud, CEO of REM Surface Engineering said “We are excited about the potential that this program will bring to the AM marketplace as a whole.”
Laura Griffiths
Commenting on the collaboration’s potential in defense and aerospace production, Dr. Behrang Poorganji, VP Technology, Nikon Advanced Manufacturing Inc., said, “Aheadd CP1 is a highly capable aluminum alloy offering high conductivity and solid processability and by pairing REM’s advanced surface finishing technologies with our large-format, production-ready L-PBF platforms, we aim to unlock its full application envelope, particularly in thermal management and structural components.”
Sylvain Henry, Vice President, Research & Development, Constellium added, “Aheadd CP1 continues to demonstrate unique potential for next-generation structural and thermal components across multiple industries. Through this early-stage collaboration, we aim to explore advanced surface finishing pathways that could further extend the alloy’s capabilities for high-performance applications.”
