Swedish firms combine to extend additive manufacturing

Höganäs and Mölndal, Sweden - Swedish firm Höganäs, a producer of iron and metal powders, has acquired fellow domestic additive manufacturing technology firm fcubic for an undisclosed amount.

The new business, rebranded as "Digital Metal," will help Höganäs expand its market for metal powders, as a supplier of component and system manufacturing technology, "add[ing] tremendous value to customers demanding minimal development time and mass customization," according to company CEO Alrik Danielson.

The deal will combine Höganäs expertise in powder metallurgy into using additive manufacturing for components production, in field such as industrial, dental, medical, and aerospace applications, as well as more consumer-oriented fields as design and jewelry. The firms project the market potential for additive manufacturing at roughly US $1B.

fcubic says it has been developing its additive manufacturing technology since 2003, with capabilities now to produce small- to medium-sized stainless steel components; it is currently developing other metals and alloys including copper and titanium. It can create components with 20 μm resolution and tolerance of 100 μm; sintered surfaces achieve ~4 μm (Ra), with surface finish further improved via standard operations such as blasting and electro polishing.