Safran installs SLM Solutions’ NXG XII 600 machine to amplify aluminium parts production

Safran, a global path leader in the aviation sector, defence and space markets, has decided to install SLM Solutions’ NXG XII 600 metal Additive Manufacturing machine for the manufacture of bespoke aluminium components for its prevailing and futuristic projects.

Safran Group, headquartered in France, has opted for the twelve 1 kw laser power NXG XII 600 Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) machine from Germany’s SLM Solutions.

The Additive Manufacturing machine will be extremely crucial for the production of huge precisely engineered aluminium parts for the company’s existing aircraft and other futuristic production lines, including the next-generation programmes.

The new NXG XII 600 metal Additive Manufacturing machine will be housed in the company’s 3D printing compound in Le Haillan, close to Bordeaux. The company is already a proud owner of other SLM machines like the SLM 500, which have been fully optimised.

Francois-Xavier Foubert, the General Manager of the Safran Additive Manufacturing Campus, stated: “Safran is engaged in reaching carbon neutrality for aviation by 2050. Additive Manufacturing is one of the main assets to secure this ambitious but realistic target, enabling us to develop an innovative architecture for our products as long as reducing their weight significantly. Equipment such as the NXG XII 600 will be part of this challenging journey.”

The CEO of SLM Solutions, Sam O’Leary, clarified: “With its unparalleled features in the industry, the NXG XII 600 provides new horizons for Safran. The capability to produce bigger parts with stringent quality, cost, and throughput requirements triggers new part designs and new business cases that were previously impossible to manufacture. SLM Solutions is proud to contribute to this new era of manufacturing.”