※Above is a sample modified by an actual JAMPT product
Generally, titanium material is said to be an indispensable material for advanced technology that is lightweight, has high strength, has excellent corrosion resistance, and can withstand harsh usage conditions. Titanium materials are often used in parts such as aircraft and rockets, but with advances in processing technology, their applications and possibilities include nuclear power plants, chemical plants, marine buildings, building roofing materials, artificial joints, and golf clubs is spreading. On the other hand, due to its excellent characteristics, it is considered difficult to cut, press-mold, weld, etc., and it is classified as a difficult-to-process material. The use of metal 3D printers has the potential to further expand its applications. At JAMPT, together with cooperating companies with cutting-edge cutting technology, we can model near-net shapes with a metal 3D printer and handle secondary processing by cutting, including practical products such as engine oil pipes for car racing.
Titanium materials can be modeled with the most popular laser melting type metal 3D printers at present, but it requires the placement of support materials for stress relief and heat treatment after modeling. At JAMPT, by using a 3D printer device that uses a high-power electron beam as a heat source (we are one of the few players, who owns such machines in Japan), it is possible to produce in a shorter time without heat treatment. On the other hand, in the modeling process of 3D printers that perform rapid melting and solidification, there is always a fight against thermal deformation, and it is difficult to determine heat input conditions, melting conditions, etc. according to changes in shape. We have been developing the optimum molding conditions through multiple trials and errors.
In particular, it took times and effort to put a thin pipe-shaped product into practical use in the car racing world where extreme speed performance and durability are required. Initially, the success rate at the test stage was less than 50%, and even though products that passed the in-house test, it sometimes failed the pressure resistance test done by the customer. While searching for the optimum molding conditions, we have improved the molding accuracy and tightened the in-house test contents, and after passing the continuous test done by the customer, we succeeded in shipping the product that can be mounted on the actual machine. The engine oil pipe is an engine part of which location to be installed is determined at the last minute, so it requires a short delivery time. In addition, once the shape is decided, it is not the end, and in some cases it is changed during the period, so the ability of adjustment and adaptation to the modeling conditions was required. It took more than two years to build a stable supply system, but in such an industry environment, we have been trained by our customers, and now it is a technological field that JAMPT can be proud of.
We believe there are still many fields in which difficult shapes can be used using titanium materials. We believe that there are possibilities not only in aviation, space, automobiles, etc., but also in places close to you. Please feel free to contact us if you have an idea that you would like to process it into a free shape using a difficult-to-process titanium alloy. JAMPT hopes to meet everyone's expectations and help solve problems.
