Emerson To Use 3D Printing For Manufacturing Process Valves

Emerson Electric Co.’s (NYSE:EMR) Process Management unit has entered into a Research Collaboration Agreement with Singapore-based Nanyang Technological University (“NTU”). The two entities will pool their resources to manufacture industrial control valves using 3D printing methods.

Emerson and NTU will create a new R&D centre which will build high-value technology and personnel talent to improve security and spur innovation in the control valve industry. They aim to accelerate the design and manufacture of control valves for process industries in a more economical fashion and with improved mechanical properties.

The collaboration will provide a synergistic research environment and will help accelerate the transition of the research programs into final commercial products. It will also aid in commercializing the 3D printed components in the industrial market.

In fact, Emerson believes that a lot of the technology they are developing will have manufacturing relevance in several other industries as well.

Emerson’s Fisher control valve solutions have catered to the power generation, refining, oil and gas, chemical and petrochemical industries for well over a century now, delivering solutions that deal with general service and critical flow control applications. Now, additive manufacturing technologies will enable Emerson to create control valve solutions that can address the most challenging flow control problems.

The joint laboratory, which will be equipped with a range of state-of-the-art additive manufacturing technologies, is scheduled to be set up at Emerson’s Singapore facility at Number 1 Pandan Crescent.

Emerson’sProcess Management segment has been grappling with contracted demand and adverse macroeconomic factors in recent times, specifically from low order rates stemming from weak global spending in the oil and gas industry. However, opportunities in power sector in most geographical regions, as well as strong chemical markets, suggest improving conditions.

The segment’s disappointing order trend has likely bottomed out, and looks set to build momentum on the back of growth conditions in global markets. The company’s initiatives in additive manufacturing technology will broaden the company’s offerings and enable it to strengthen its foothold in the market.

Emerson currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the broader industrial products sector include ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE) , Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ:FELE) and Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:PPSI) , each holding a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).