A specialty of the company is making turbomachinery parts, particularly high temperature applications for gas turbines where accuracy, surface finish and the highest quality of the materials is critical to ensure operational performance of the parts in service. In August 2015, Siemens Venture Capital acquired a minority stake (14%) in the company, founded in 2006, that currently employs more than 20 highly qualified engineers. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Company founder Carl Brancher will continue to hold the remaining ownership stake (15%).
Willi Meixner, CEO of Siemens Power and Gas Division, says: “With the acquisition of Materials Solutions, we are able to secure world-leading expertise in materials and AM process development with focus on high-temperature super alloys. The company’s strength is to turn models into high quality components in record time. Clearly Materials Solutions fits perfectly within our vision for growth and application of advanced technologies within our power and gas portfolio.”
For his part, Carl Brancher says: “Materials Solutions is developing the applications know-how and a supply chain for the world's most advanced engineering companies – delivering processes and precision parts from 3D CAD models, using software, lasers and metal powders.”
Siemens extensively uses AM technology for rapid prototyping and has introduced serial production solutions for rapid manufacturing of small fuel mixers and for rapid repair of burner tips for mid-size gas turbines. A Siemens operation in Finspång, Sweden, started using additive manufacturing technology in 2009 and opened a production facility for metal 3D printed components in February 2016. This investment was the first step in the company’s plans for mass manufacture and repair of metal parts with additive manufacturing, the company says. The first 3D printed burner component for a Siemens heavy-duty gas turbine is now in successful commercial operation in a power plant in Brno, Czech Republic.
