Technology
How WAAM could reduce supply chain blockages
What ’ s the delivery time for urgently required engineered products such as valves , pumps or pressure vessels ? Or perhaps fittings and flanges in exotic alloys ? Weeks ? Months ? WAAM – short for Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing - could be the solution to reducing lead times , says Gijs van der Velden , CEO at MX3D .
By Joanne McIntyre , Valve World . Images courtesy of MX3D
Robotic WAAM is perfect for high quality , in-house production of medium-to-large metal parts
For the sceptical : WAAM is not a newfangled , unproven technology straight out of a research laboratory . First patented in 1920 (!), WAAM is , in many industrial sectors , a tried-and-trusted additive manufacturing ( AM ) process . For at its core , WAAM is nothing more or less than a form of arc welding , a process that the global metal-working industry will feel completely at home with . WAAM ’ s recent emergence as a viable engineering tool is due to two factors : firstly , the development of CAD / CAM software , and secondly the introduction of advanced robotic systems . Hence WAAM systems available today can produce metal components in near net shapes , offering significant reductions in cost and lead times , material efficiency and local , on-demand manufacture . Research-driven companies like MX3D in The Netherlands are championing the introduction of WAAM across a multitude of sectors . Recent company highlights include a 12-metre stainless steel bridge installed over a canal in Amsterdam , the delivery of a DED ( Directed Energy Deposition ) machine to German car builder BMW , as well as research work into the 3D printing of carbon steel piping components with Japanese engineering firm JGC . And now MX3D has set its sights very firmly on the energy sector , says CEO Mr Van der Velden . “ We are strongly focused on manufacturing equipment in specialty materials as well as special use , low-volume items . These are situations when WAAM can deliver serious benefits . For example , our technology gives customers the ability to rapidly produce parts in materials such as duplex stainless steel and high-end alloys that are difficult to source in castings .” Another ideal application is emergency manufacturing , he continues . “ We have identified that lead time reduction is key in areas like the valve industry . So , while the impression may be that in a global marketplace you can source anything , anywhere , anytime , the reality is that valves manufactured in materials other than carbon steel are going to have lead times of several weeks or even months . By contrast , our system enables valve bodies , pump impellors , unique piping components and the like to be printed immediately .”
Industry feedback
To better understand the specifics of the flow control industry , MX3D sent a delegation to the recent Valve World Expo & Conference held in Dusseldorf . Discussions there confirmed Mr Van der Velden ’ s belief that WAAM could be a tremendous asset to valve manufacturers and users . “ People we spoke to were excited to learn how with a WAAM system it is possible to start printing on demand and to have a 100 kg valve body ready in just a few days . Of course , the valve body would need internal and perhaps
18 Valve World March 2025 www . valve-world . net