TRUMPF expands range of aluminum types for users of 3D printers

TRUMPF has expanded its aluminum portfolio for additive manufacturing. "The new aluminum alloys can be used in numerous 3D printing applications, from prototyping to series production. Users benefit from the typical advantages of 3D printing, such as lightweight construction, material savings, and a large degree of control in component design. The quality of the printed parts is at least as good as that of machined ones," says Jan Christian Schauer, responsible for additive manufacturing material selection at TRUMPF. The expanded aluminum portfolio includes alloys that are suitable for the automotive, motorsports, aerospace and bicycle industries. In Frankfurt, the high-tech company will present sample parts at the world's leading trade fair for 3D printing, Formnext.

The right aluminum alloy for every application

TRUMPF is working closely with customers from various industries to integrate the new alloys into their applications. "The variety of aluminum variants allows customers to use the best alloy for their particular application. It is not possible to cover all requirements with a single aluminum alloy. That's why TRUMPF offers this broad portfolio," says Schauer. The aerospace industry, for example, requires high-strength alloys, while the automotive industry relies on alloys that are particularly cost-effective. In the bicycle industry, especially in frame construction, the aluminum alloy 6061 has established itself, but thus far only in conventional manufacturing processes. Now, frame manufacturers can also use this alloy in TRUMPF 3D printers.  

TRUMPF 3D Printing Application Lab supports users  

TRUMPF assists its customers in selecting the right alloy at its 3D printing application lab in Ditzingen, Germany. There, clients can test the various aluminum alloys with the high-tech company's 3D printing experts to find the correct material for their application.