Alcoa (AA) Inaugurates 3D Printing Metal Powder Facility

Aluminum giant Alcoa Inc. (NYSE:AA) has unveiled its state-of-the-art, 3D printing metal powder production facility at the Alcoa Technology Center -- the world’s biggest light metals research center. The company will produce proprietary titanium, nickel and aluminum powders optimized for 3D printed aerospace parts at the facility.

Through the expansion, Alcoa will develop materials with the specific properties needed to 3D print high-performance components. The company has invented most of the aluminum alloys that are currently used in aerospace, based on its proficiency in metal-alloy development It will develop materials with the explicit properties that are required for 3D-printed high-performance components.

The plant will also form a part of Arconic, following separation from Alcoa’s legacy commodity business in the second half of 2016. The facility is part of a $60 million investment in advanced 3D printing materials and processes that builds on the Company’s 3D-printing capabilities in California, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Alcoa is also into advancing a number of additive techniques, along with its recently introduced Ampliforge process – a hybrid technique that combines additive and traditional manufacturing. With this process, the company designs and 3D prints a near-complete part and treats it using a conventional manufacturing process, such as forging. This process enhances the properties of 3D-printed parts, increases toughness and strength compared with the parts made entirely by additive manufacturing. It also reduces material input considerably. Alcoa is piloting the technique in Pittsburgh and Cleveland.

Alcoa has been developing 3D-printed products for the last two decades. It owns and operates one of the world’s largest Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) complexes in aerospace. The company was also selected by Airbus to supply 3D-printed titanium fuselage and engine pylon parts for commercial aircrafts. Alcoa expects to deliver the first additive manufactured parts under the deal later in 2016.

Alcoa’s shares closed roughly 0.8% lower at $9.19 on Jul 6.

Alcoa is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked companies in the mining space include Coeur Mining, Inc. (NYSE:CDE) , Royal Gold, Inc. (NASDAQ:RGLD) and Sandstorm Gold Ltd. (NYSE:SAND) . All these stocks sport Zacks Rank#1 (Strong Buy).