Thales creates a global center of additive manufacturing expertise in Morocco

Supporting Morocco's ambition to progress in the aerospace sector, Thales has opened an industrial Competence Centre in Casablanca that specializes in metal additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing). The center will become a platform that allows the company's international requirements and to be met.

Metal 3D printing will lead to a reduction in the development and manufacturing times for parts with high added value made from complex metal alloys in all mechanical domains, particularly the aerospace and space domains.

This industrial Competence Centre forms part of the Industrial Acceleration Plan 2014 to 2020, supported by the Kingdom of Morocco, that supports the development of an innovative ecosystem involving the company and its local suppliers, including the creation of a high-tech industrial competence center.

Located in the Midparc zone in Casablanca, the center will eventually employ around 20 engineers and technicians. It is currently equipped with two selective laser melting technology machines—this technique, which involves fusing metal alloy powders using a high-intensity laser, is used to manufacture metal parts of unrivaled complexity that cannot be manufactured using current technologies. In the medium-term, the company is planning to acquire 10 machines.

This Industry 4.0-type procedure accelerates the efficiency of the production tool, allowing improved production at a lower cost and in a more environmentally friendly manner. It offers a new way of handling production through smart systems used to collect, store, manage, and analyze thousands of items of information from their sensors.

For more information, please visit www.thalesgroup.com/en.