Titomic and FLSmidth begin production trial for 3D printed mining components
Australian company Titomic Limited is partnering with Danish engineering company and mining equipment producer FLSmidth to explore the use of Titomic Kinetic Fusion technology (TKF) for manufacturing high-wear resistant parts for mining applications. The companies will initially collaborate through a production trial agreement to assess the potential of the TKF additive process for the mining sector.
Titomic’s proprietary TKF process is a unique AM technique that builds parts from titanium or titanium alloy particles using a cold-gas dynamic spraying approach. The technology was developed by CSIRO though Titomic now has the exclusive rights to the process. One of the main benefits of the TKF process is that it is capable of manufacturing stronger metal parts at faster rates than traditional methods.
Through its partnership with Copenhagen-based FLSmidth, Titomic will 3D print prototypes of high-wear resistant parts at a preliminary cost of AUD $12,275 ($8,572) per part. The production trial will enable the partners to validate improvements for high-wear resistant mining equipment using the AM technology.
The TKF process is expected to introduce higher performing materials into the mining industry, leading to reduced equipment downtime and improved productivity for mining equipment. In the mining industry, lost production or downtime can result in costs of about $3,000 per hour, averaging $180,000 per incident.
“Titomic is proud to partner with FLSmidth, the global leader in sustainable productivity to the mining industry to deliver TKF additive manufactured parts with real economic value to mining operations,” said Jeff Lang, Managing Director of Titomic. “The mining industries equipment breakdowns are timely and expensive setbacks for operations and Titomic is well positioned, as the global leader in industrial scale metal additive manufacturing, to partner with FLSmidth to provide next generation technologies for improved commercial benefits of their customers.”
If the production trial with FLSmitdth proves to be a success, Titomic plans to negotiate a contract to supply OEM production of high-wear resistant parts to the mining company from its TKF Melbourne Bureau. In the mining industry, FLSmidth is a key player and is notable for focusing its business on sustainable mining solutions. In 2018, the company reported a revenue of AUD $3.98 billion ($2.78 billion).
Titomic has also been working closely with TAUV on a similar sort of partnership geared towards the defense industry. Last month, the partners announced they were moving into the next phase of their collaboration after the successful delivery of five 3D printed prototypes for defense and armor systems.
