Buffalo Manufacturing Works is adding a new process to its additive manufacturing repertoire.
Buffalo Manufacturing and Addition of AM Process
The organization, operated by EWI, plans to have a station set up by next year for cold spray, a way to fabricate or repair parts by spraying fine metal particles at a high velocity, to mold together and create layers.
“It’s the newest process in additive manufacturing,” said Ronald Aman, principal engineer for EWI. “It really is rounding out our portfolio.”
The process involves a 3D printer and low and high-pressure systems. Though they haven’t been installed yet, he said they expect to showcase the station to manufacturers by next year, as part of a mission to help manufacturers “transition from traditional manufacturing to additive manufacturing.”
JOED VIERA
Making that switch, Aman said, is a huge investment for companies.
“What they want to do is know their process will work before they make that investment,” he said.
Aman said there are seven processes for additive manufacturing. With the addition of cold spray, the facility on Northland Avenue will showcase all of them for manufacturers to view and research, a critical step for companies before making an investment.
Henry Cialone, EWI president and CEO, said staff will study and experiment with the cold spray process to nail down interest among Buffalo manufacturers.
“We’re going to spend a lot of time learning it,” he said. “We have to spend that time before we’re able to talk to customers about how it could benefit them or fit their specific needs.”
Cialone recently moved from Ohio to Buffalo to oversee operations at the Northland complex. The two-year building renovations were completed in 2019, doubling the size of the space they had been using.
“We needed more space,” Cialone said. “We have a great team here too.”
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