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Since our founding in 1943, Imperials capabilities have continually grown and adapted
according to the needs of our customers, the changing marketplace, and advances in
technology. It is this focus on new approaches that led Imperial to become an early adopter
of CNC machining way back when. As a result of our bold outlook on new technologies, we
ventured into the world of Additive Manufacturing (AM), specifically Powder Bed Fusion, in
2013. While Imperialand manufacturing in generalhas always followed the subtractive
model (SM) of manufacturing (starting from something and reducing it by cutting, punching
or forming), AM (starting from nothing and building it layer by layer into a completed product)
provides endless opportunities in fabrication that are not possible via Subtractive means.
The SLM-280
THE BENEFITS OF AM
While there is plenty of hype surrounding AMand it is by no means the process of choice for
many current applications--AM offers very realistic opportunities to improve on current designs. Of
particular interest to Advanced Manufacturers and those on the leading edge of development are
several specific design cases where AM should be considered:
Small weldments and assemblies can be combined into a single structure,
eliminating welds as well as BOM items. This results in lower fabrication,
testing, and inventory costs.
Internal shapes and features can be printed in place layer by layer, allowing
freedom to route process gases, liquids, and wiring. This enables maximum
flexibility when designing internal features for coolant, vacuum, pneumatic
and/or hydraulic flow.
Complex internal structures
are possible with AM as
shown in this M777 Nut
Prototype
M777
Nu t P
rototinternals
Structures can be built much lighter since AM allows
to be hollow,
ype
semi hollow, or partially supported with shapes that yield the utmost strength.
M777
Nuthe
t Pro
No tooling is required for
AM
process, which
totbuild
ype
rapidly advances delivery timescales for
casting and
forging applications. Prototype and proof of
concepts, in metal, can be fabricated in days
Complex shapes and structures can be
generated that simply cannot be created via
Subtractive means. Features can adopt the most
efficient shape for that specific function. Additive offers true design freedom
when it comes to unique shapes.
Costly materials can be processed more efficiently since the process yields
a near net shape end resultno costly material, removal operations, or useless
scrap is generated.
These are just a few of the benefits of Additive Manufacturing that are readily within reach to todays
Advanced Manufacturing leaders. Seven decades of experience in Subtractive methods, with dozens
of CNC machine tools at our disposal, puts Imperial Machine & Tool Co. in the forefront of this exciting
and dynamic field. We adopted the technology readily and have been actively hiring engineers and
AM professionals to support our goal of being a leader in metal additive manufacturing.
8 W. Crisman Rd.
Columbia, NJ 07832
(908)-496-8100