FAQ

What is additive manufacturing?

Additive manufacturing is a process that creates parts from a digital model. Unlike traditional subtractive methods that remove material, additive manufacturing builds components by adding material only where needed. This has the benefit of reducing waste and enabling complex designs that would be difficult or impossible to produce otherwise.

What are the main applications of fSW?

Friction stir welding (FSW) has found a place in industries where lightweight, high-strength, and defect-free welds are essential. Examples include Aerospace, where joining lightweight aluminum alloys used in aircraft (fuselages, wings, fuel tanks) is a common occurrence. Additional industries include the Automotive, Shipbuilding, and Defense industries. 

What materials can be used in additive manufacturing?

A wide range of materials can be used, depending on the process. Common options include metals (such as aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel), polymers, composites, and ceramics. Each material offers unique mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties suitable for specific applications.

How accurate and durable are parts made through additive manufacturing?

Modern additive manufacturing systems can produce highly accurate, repeatable parts with excellent mechanical properties. With proper process control and post-processing, additive parts can match or even exceed the strength and performance of traditionally manufactured components.

How do we maintain sustainability?

Manufacturing can be hard on the environment. We do our best to lighten our impact by using environmentally friendly methods such as FSW, which has very little waste and does not require toxic gases. Additionally, we make sure all of our materials and products are ethically sourced from reputable vendors.