MELD hits milestone in size of 3D printed metal parts

MELD Manufacturing Corporation has fabricated components in excess of 55 inches (1.4 meters) in diameter using off the shelf Aluminum 6061.  Components have solid walls, some over 4 inches (102 millimeters) thick.  The size of the components is a milestone for the company and represents the advantages the open-air printer offers in scalability. The material is notable because despite its widespread utilization in industry, it is not compatible with other metal additive technologies. With the MELD® technology, metal additive manufacturing of large structures typically produced using a forging can now be printed on demand.  

A reduction in domestic mills and forges has created more demand than foreign capacity can supply. COVID-19 has exacerbated delays globally. “Prior to the pandemic our customer told us that these parts, printed in a few days at MELD, would have taken them up to two years to get from their supply chain. This global economic shutdown likely added 6 months or more to that 2-year lead time estimate,” stated Director of Technology Dr. Chase Cox.  “MELD represents an opportunity to re-establish domestic manufacturing capability at a critical time.”