MIMO Technik, together with additive manufacturing firm SLM Solutions, has announced considerable progress in qualifying additive manufacturing (AM) parts and processes for the aerospace industry.
MIMO Technik has successfully met the material spec performance for ALSi10Mg aluminium powder for Boeing, and has done so at increased productivity rates.
The firm is now able to qualify materials, processes, and parts for aerospace faster than it has previously been able to achieve – claiming its process is five to ten times more productive than the industry benchmark.
Next up on the firm’s roadmap is the qualification of high-strength aluminium alloys on SLM Solutions machines for Boeing.
Part of the reason for its success is SLM Solutions' open architecture philosophy, which has enabled MIMO Technik to grow from designing and manufacturing motorsport and racing parts to producing and qualifying AM components for some of the aerospace industry's biggest players.
'SLM Solutions technology enables us to create parts and design processes that are just not possible on any other platform,’ said Jonathan Cohen, CEO & co-founder at MIMO Technik. ‘Their open parameters, open architecture system, and engineering spirit let us refine our processes and create parts to the highest standards in critical systems. From structures to electronics, the entire system is customisable to achieve the needed results.’
In total MIMO Technik now has one SLM 125, three SLM 280s, and three SLM 500 machines.
Dr Simon Merkt-Schippers, EVP of product management at SLM Solutions, commented: 'This major qualification proves that MIMO Technik is a leading part manufacturer for the aerospace industry. It is almost unreal what Jonathan is getting out of our machines, resulting in incredible competitive advantages to MIMO Technik. On top of our open architecture, our extensive support for certified serial production comes along with the IQ, OQ, and PQ qualification process. These were key advantages for this joint success and for MIMO Technik's overall accelerated adaption of SLM technology for aerospace.'