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Component manufacturer Norsk Titanium will build in New York what it calls the world's first industrial-scale aerospace metal additive manufacturing plant.
The facility – which will be located in Plattsburg and open by the end of 2017 – will initially house 20 of Norsk's so-called Merke IV rapid plasma deposition machines, says the company.
Eventually, the site could operate 40 of the machines, which transform titanium wire into structural and other components using plasma torches, says Norsk.
"Our researchers have spent 10 years pioneering the rapid plasma deposition process that is now ready to cut millions of dollars in cost from the world's premier commercial and military aircraft," says Norsk chairman John Andersen.
Also during the Farnborough air show, Norsk signed an agreement with Mecachrome under which the companies will jointly deliver structural titanium components to existing Mecachrome customers.
The long-term deal will involve integration of the companies' supply chains, with components being produced using the rapid plasma deposition process, Norsk says.
It adds that the parts will replace those currently supplied to OEMs and tier-one suppliers by Mecachrome.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
