“The investment is also in line with Sandvik’s strategic ambition to become a leading solution provider for the wider component manufacturing industry,” the news release says.
Beam IT is a privately-owned company with more than 20 years of experience within metal AM. The company is a trusted supplier of advanced metal AM-components to demanding industries like aerospace, automotive, energy and racing, and holds a number of relevant quality certifications, including AS 9100 for aerospace and NADCAP approval. In 2018, Beam IT had 38 employees and more than 20 powder-bed fusion printers installed.
Sandvik has a leading position in metal powder for AM and has since 2013 made sizeable investments into a wide range of AM process technologies for metal components, including powder-bed fusion (laser and electron beam) and binder jetting. Adding 150 years of experience in materials technology, 75 years in post-processing methods like metalcutting, sintering and heat treatment, Sandvik has well-established and leading expertise across the entire AM-value chain. Earlier this year, the company integrated the Powder division into the Additive Manufacturing division, which means that the company now has a full-value offering to the AM market in one business – covering everything from metal powder to finished AM components.
Says Kristian Egeberg, president of Sandvik Additive Manufacturing: “The AM sector is developing fast and there is a need for AM specialist partners with the advanced skills and resources required to help industrial customers develop and launch their AM programs. With the investment in Beam IT, we provide our customers with the opportunity to access the complementary and combined power of Sandvik and Beam IT.”
Mauro Antolotti, chairman and founder of Beam IT, responds: “The demand for additively manufactured components is expected to grow rapidly the coming years. In Sandvik, we have a very good owner who can help us accelerate the growth – and who can provide us with leading materials expertise, development of high quality metal powder suited for all AM processes, as well as world-leading post-processing know-how.”
President of Beam IT Michele Antolotti adds: “We are extremely pleased to announce this deal and partnership with Sandvik, which aims to leverage synergies and further strengthen both companies’ position on the metal AM market. Our partnership will definitely benefit both current and future AM customers going forward.”
