Engineering group Siemens AG has acquired an 85% stake in Materials Solutions Ltd., an additive manufacturing company producing nickel-superalloy parts for land-based and aerospace gas turbines, and specialty steel and titanium components for aerospace systems and performance automotive systems. The value of the acquisition was not announced. Just over a year ago, Siemens made a “strategic investment” (14%) in the Worcester, England, company via its Siemens Venture Capital unit.
The remaining 15% stake will be held by Materials Solutions founder Carl Brancher.
Materials Solutions uses “selective laser melting” (SLM) to produce high-performance metal parts, principally turbomachinery parts for gas turbines, both land-based and aerospace turbines, parts for which dimensional accuracy and surface finish are critically important design details.
Brancher commented that his organization’s "know-how and experience will make a significant contribution to Siemens' Additive Manufacturing strategy. Materials Solutions is developing the applications know-how and a supply chain for the world's most advanced engineering companies – delivering processes and precision parts from 3D CAD models, using software, lasers and metal powders," he added.
