Additive Manufacturing

Franck Moreau

Président, AddUp

Julien Marcilly

COO, AddUp

The AddUp teams have demonstrated remarkable resilience not only in managing the pandemic, but also the changes implemented to lead the company towards a promising new industrial future.

Through AddUp, its joint venture with Michelin, Fives offers comprehensive metal 3D printing solutions, a market segment for which the company is now the French leader.


COVID-19 impact and good long-term prospects

The pandemic had an immediate effect on AddUp’s volume of business; notably, the production of parts for certain sectors such as Formula 1 which was over even before it had started.

However, 3D printing continues to stand out as an alternative production method, which meets the growing need for a more resilient supply chain, offering greater flexibility, local manufacturing and reduced material consumption. Today, additive manufacturing is increasingly integrated into companies’ strategic considerations; this momentum is strongly supported by the French state, notably through the economy recovery plan.


Maturity, restructuring the organization and refocusing the offer

Founded in 2016, AddUp entered a new phase of its development in 2020.

Firstly, following a period of strong external growth, the organization was transformed to provide a more comprehensive offering, supporting a unique brand based on shared values. 

In addition, the commercial offer was refocused to ensure it is aligned with customers’ needs. AddUp added further momentum to its part production activity, thanks to new advances in process control and new processing capacities, to create parts in very different materials and sizes, for a large number of sectors (energy, luxury, aeronautics, space, automotive, defense). Moreover, the company developed its after-sales offer with ad hoc maintenance programs based on the needs of industry figures and with the provision of a dedicated web portal. Work on predictive maintenance is in progress.


HIGHLIGHTS

ORDER

Two FormUp 350 machines for Wright Medical

The next-generation FormUp 350 machine was selected by Wright Medical to produce titanium prosthetics. Its productivity, the quality of parts and close collaboration with the teams throughout the project were highly appreciated by the customer; a first machine was delivered in France, before a second in the United States.
PARTNERSHIP

Successful cooperation with PSA for custom parts

Thanks to its close collaboration with the PSA teams, AddUp developed and mass produced an interior trim part for DS7 Crossback x Louvre vents. The use of fine powder helped obtain a very precise design and an exceptional finish.
JAPAN

Supporting Japanese customers with additive manufacturing

AddUp established the foundation of a service offer in Japan thanks to the creation of a proof of concept, access to training and the production of small series. This service will be equipped with two machines to operate several materials, with a full team. It will also provide maintenance and an after-sales service.
UNIQUE DESIGN

Production of 3D parts for the next generation of FormUp 350

The next generation of the FormUp machine will have several AddUp technology parts, notably with replacement of a bored block weighing nearly 8.7 kg with a part recreated with a design which can only be made with 3D printing; it will weigh 2.4 kg, i.e., 70% lighter and 70% less material consumed.
POWDER

Constellium chooses the AddUp subsidiary Poly-Shape for its new range of powders

The world leader in high-performance aluminium has chosen Poly-Shape (AddUp group) to exclusively develop the first recipes and produce the first parts with its new powder. Specially designed for additive manufacturing, Aheadd® offers unrivaled thermal stability and is positioned as an alternative to titanium.
More information
FOCUS

FormUp 350: a new powder bed fusion 3D printing machine

AddUp’s flagship machine is ready for industrial use. It addresses the needs and challenges of staff safety, productivity, quality, investment control and integration. It includes several innovations in this regard, particularly for the software suite, control of multi-laser strategies and the powder management module. The machine is modular and scalable to adapt to current and future needs.

In addition, this machine integrates perfectly into any customer environment thanks to excellent interoperability. Aware of the difficulty of incorporating additive manufacturing into the production chain, AddUp has developed a range of services to support customers at each stage of their journey. Specific maintenance programs help guarantee excellent machine availability.