February/March_AMP

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The practice of heat treating AM parts, as might be ex-

pected, is on a similar course. Here as well, many are con-

tributing to the progress—designers, materials scientists,

process engineers, equipment builders, and others. Togeth-

er they are driving advancements and establishing best prac-

tices to meet production demand for full density, crack-free

parts. This is good news for the heat treating industry, where

the pipeline of jobs associated with AM parts is rapidly be-

ing filled from both ends of the manufacturing spectrum. On

one end, fueling demand, prime contractors such as General

Electric Aviation, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Airbus are in

an all-out sprint to incorporate AM components into new de-

signs. Meanwhile, on the supply side, small andmid-sizema-

chine shops are staging a build-up of capacity, and discover-

ing in the process that having a 3D printer on the shop floor

can open new doors, especially with medical device OEMs

(Fig. 2). Like aircraft manufacturers, medical device manu-

facturers consider AM a critical pathway to future design im-

provements, which for heat treaters, makes it a convenient

pathway to growth.

he impact of additive manufacturing (AM) on industry

is undeniable and doubts about its staying power have

all but disappeared. For heat treaters, the big question

now is whether or not they are willing to embrace change.

Additively manufactured parts present unique challenges,

but the rapid growth of this technology is a powerful incen-

tive to confront and overcome them. Some heat treaters

have already started down this path and are blazing a trail

that others can follow.

DEVELOPMENT OF AM

The invention of the incandescent light bulb and the

development of additive manufacturing share many simi-

larities. One overriding theme, however, perhaps most sig-

nificant and easiest to miss, is that neither of these trans-

formative technologies arose from a single stroke of genius

overnight. Much to the contrary, both were decades in the

making, driven by efforts and insights fromdozens of people

stoking a process of incremental improvement that contin-

ues on both fronts to this day (Fig. 1).

VACUUM HEAT TREATING FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

Heat treaters are discovering new opportunities in the rapidly expanding field of additive manufacturing.

Robert Hill, FASM,*

Solar Atmospheres of Western PA, Hermitage, Pa.

*Member of ASM International

Fig. 1 —

Additive manufacturing, like the light bulb, is the result of decades of improvements and has the potential to reshape industry

and the world.