最近好像每个公司都计划在3D打印/增材制造领域大展身手。我们已经看很多投身于3D打印机设备制造领域的公司数量在仅几年保持猛增的态势。事实上，市场的发展已经超过那些最为乐观的分析师的预测。
瑞典的山特维克材料技术是全球行业领导者，公司拥有员工超过47000人分布在130个不同的国家，仅2013年就实现了100多亿美金的销售额。公司成立于1862年，具有极强的快速适应新技术的能力，否则他们怎么能生存150年多年还朝气蓬勃呢？
山特维克目前宣布集团将投巨资在位于瑞典山特维肯的3D打印技术研发中心上，正在招聘研究和开发3D打印技术金属材料的核心员工。在这个过程中，山特维克也将检验利用3D打印技术来生产矿山装备的钻塔以及核电站的燃料管等零件的可行性。
“我们考虑到另一个水平，”Mikael Schuisky，山特维克增材制造业务经理说“我们的行动战略是为了推动整个集团的利益，3D打印的吸引力在于全新的思维方式。我们需要打破陈规，从一个完全空白画布角度展开思考。”
山特维克已经生产用于3D打印的Osprey“鱼鹰”品牌金属粉末；然而，公司希望扩大其规模和范围，甚至计划与其他欧洲公司如德国的西门子直接竞争，这也是增加3D打印研发预算的原因。
Lately it seems as if everyone wants a hand in the 3D printing/additive manufacturing space. We have seen both the number of 3D printer manufacturers and the number of companies turning to 3D printing as a means for more robust manufacturing methods increase dramatically over the last couple of years. In fact, the market has outpaced even some of the most optimistic predictions by analysts as of late.
One company that refuses to be left behind is Sweden’s Sandvik, a leader within the global materials technology industry. The company employs over 47,000 individuals in 130 different countries, and realized over $10 billion in sales in 2013 alone. Founded in 1862, Sandvik has a strong history of quickly adapting to new technologies. After all, how else could they have managed to survive for over 150 years?
Additive manufacturing is the latest technology they will be adopting, as they have just announced a major initiative to drastically boost their research spending into 3D printing. They are currently in the process of hiring staff for a brand new 3D printing research and development center, located in Sandviken, Sweden. In doing so, they will examine the possibilities of using these up-and-coming technologies for everything from their production of fuel tubes for nuclear power plants to drill rigs for mining.
“We’re taking this to another level,” stated Mikael Schuisky, operations manager for additive manufacturing at Sandvik. “We’re making a focused strategic push to research this for the benefit of the entire group. What is attractive about 3D is the new way of thinking. We are used to thinking that objects are processed out of a material. We need to start thinking about starting from a blank canvas.”
Sandvik already produces metal powders used within 3D printers under the Osprey brand name; however, the company wishes to expand their scale and scope within the industry, perhaps putting them in direct competition with other European firms like Germany’s Siemens, which has also just ramped up their 3D printing budget recently.
3D Science Valley Translated from 3dprint.com
