IAM 3D HUB, a shared work center for additive manufacturing in Barcelona, has announced that ArcelorMittal, a global steel and mining firm, has signed on as a new member in its ecosystem of companies. The inclusion of ArcelorMittal in the IAM 3D HUB will allow the company to provide the center with materials, technologies and expertise to enable the creation of new applications for 3D printing.
The foundation of ArcelorMittal’s membership within the IAM 3D HUB is based on shared missions and objectives between the company and the hub. ArcelorMittal will hope to demonstrate new points of view in the IAM 3D HUB based on its experience in the steel and mining sector.
Developing new metal materials for 3D printing
Originally called Mittal Steel, ArcelorMittal was founded in 1976, and has grown to become a leading worldwide steel and mining company, with a presence in 60 countries in total. The company supplies steel products to a multitude of markets including automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging. It is also one of the world’s largest producers of iron ore and metallurgical coal.
The IAM 3D Hub seeks to push the adoption and development of additive manufacturing and 3D printing technologies forward in European Union manufacturing sectors. It aims to establish 3D printing as an alternative way to design, develop and manufacture new competitive products and services. The hub acts as a meeting point for economic activity in the 3D printing innovation ecosystem of Catalonia, and includes companies ranging from technological developers to business and economically focused firms.
ArcelorMittal’s membership in the IAM 3D HUB will allow it to leverage the hub’s end-to-end solutions platform. The platform allows companies to design and refine new products, while considering their real-life applications. ArcelorMittal will use this and other resources at the IAM 3D HUB to create new metal materials for 3D printing, while also utilizing its own expertise in material development. Furthermore, ArcelorMittal will use its membership to establish connections with other companies and stakeholders within the network.
The 3D printing network
ArcelorMittal joins the hub as a material developer in its 3D printing value chain. Other companies supplying technology and materials to the IAM 3D HUB as members include UK-based additive manufacturing specialist Renishaw and global information technology company HP, as well as Leitat Technological Center, Abrast by Coniex and ACEO by Wacker. For example, the hub’s production plant houses the new HP 5200 3D printers.
The IAM 3D HUB also maintains the Fira de Barcelona conference center and its manufacturing trade show, INDUSTRY (formerly IN(3D)USTRY) as strategic partners.
IAM 3D HUB is not ArcelorMittal’s first 3D printing partnership, however. It is also a member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)’s Center for Additive and Digital Advanced Production Technologies (APT). In the APT consortium, ArcelorMittal is working alongside companies such as Autodesk, BigRep and EOS to help scale new manufacturing technologies through research.
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Featured image shows the ArcelorMittal production plant in Mexico. Photo via ArcelorMittal.
