DMC in top 1% of Scalmalloy® suppliers worldwide

The Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC) has achieved results in the top one
per cent worldwide for APWORKS’s innovative high-strength aluminium alloy
Scalmalloy®. Intended for high-performance applications in sectors like
aerospace, robotics, marine and motorsport, the DMC is enabling customers at
the frontier of engineering and innovation.

Scalmalloy is the highest strength aluminium alloy available for additive
manufacturing (AM), offering performance equivalent to high-strength 7000
series alloys. The proven material combines a tensile strength of 520MPa and
yield strength of 480MPa with excellent ductility and is ideal for highly
loaded and safety-critical parts.

The performance and environmental resistance of Scalmalloy components have
been demonstrated in a diverse array of environments. Whether destined for
the cold vacuum of space, the salt-sprayed decks of racing yachts or the
heat-soaked environment of racing car drivetrains, the DMC’s Scalmalloy
parts can withstand incredibly harsh conditions. While alloying elements are
usually detrimental to corrosion resistance, Scalmalloy uses a strengthening
mechanism to achieve a level of corrosion resistance equivalent to a 5000
series aluminium alloy.

Too often engineers must compromise between the high material properties and
limited geometric freedom of forging, with the geometric freedom and lower
material properties of casting. With Scalmalloy, both are possible. The
alloy has excellent processability and its performance density helps to
reduce overall part cost and weight by reducing the volume of material
required to safely fulfil application requirements.

As with all additive manufacturing materials and processes, it enables an
incredible level of design freedom. This means that parts can be optimised
for maximum performance and minimum weight – an area of expertise for the
DMC’s specialists.

Kieron Salter, Chief Executive Officer at the DMC, commented: “The DMC team
is focussed on solving customer challenges, whether that means engineering
for application, producing high-quality components at short notice, or
bringing new high-performance AM materials to the UK market. British
companies working at the frontier of their industry now have a highly
qualified and knowledgeable approved supplier to help them take advantage of
this revolutionary material and process.

“Scalmalloy is a fantastic addition to our capabilities, particularly for
our space, aerospace and motorsport customers. Not only is it relatively
straightforward to process, but it also offers many incredible performance
benefits. Perhaps most importantly, it has a proven track record with
established use in some of the most demanding applications in the world.”

Website: www.digitalmanufacturingcentre.com

About the Digital Manufacturing Centre

The Digital Manufacturing Centre is a sector agnostic digital manufacturing
production and innovation hub, powered by the latest additive manufacturing
technologies and award-winning engineers.

Located at Silverstone Park, the DMC will deliver ground-breaking polymer
and metal digital manufacturing solutions across a range of sectors
including space, aerospace, motorsport, automotive, defence, industrial,
marine and medical.

The DMC is part-funded by SEMLEP’s Local Growth Fund and led in conjunction
with high-performance engineering consultancy KW Special Projects (KWSP).

About SEMLEP

SEMLEP is a public-private partnership set up in 2010 to drive economic
growth across the South East Midlands. We work to build a stronger economy
by tackling barriers to sustainable growth and supporting job creation for
the future prosperity of communities across the South East Midlands.

We bring together the private sector, education providers and the public
sector to steer investment and deliver projects to support businesses
productivity and efficiencies, develop workforce skills and enhance local
infrastructure.

SEMLEP is responsible for Local Growth Fund, Getting Building Fund and other
public monies. We support a portfolio of capital projects, investing
£305million into the South East Midlands LEP area.