SLM and MAHLE are strengthening their collaboration to advance additive manufacturing technology in the automotive industry

On January 11, 2022, Antarctic Bear was informed that SLM Solutions announced a partnership with MAHLE, an international development partner and supplier to the automotive industry and a technology driver of the future of mobility.

The partnership formalizes a partnership between the two companies and will enable OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to utilize metal additive manufacturing technology in mass production.

Together, they accelerate the development of high-quality, low-carbon drive technologies by reducing production times and eliminating the need for complex tools and processes.

More than 120 SLM devices for the automotive industry are already in operation in OEMs and major suppliers worldwide.

SLM Solutions announced a partnership with MAHLE in Stuttgart, Germany, one of the world's leading automotive suppliers and development partners. MAHLE will leverage SLM Solutions' system to license it to OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to meet their metal additive manufacturing needs in mass production. Through the collaboration, the two companies are improving the speed and quality of prototype and mass production of automotive parts.

These parts will be printed from aluminum and stainless steel alloys with significant elasticity and corrosion resistance, and topologies are optimized to reduce overall weight. Structures that are too complex for traditional manufacturing methods can be easily produced while still adhering to the stringent quality standards of the automotive industry.

Sam O'Leary, CEO of SLM Solutions, commented: "It makes sense for 3D printing to be used in the mobility space. Our partnership with MAHLE has revolutionized the production of auto parts by making automotive parts better, stronger, lighter and more in line with the concept of low-carbon environmental protection. ”

MAHLE's strategic 3D printing center in Stuttgart will play a key role in strengthening its role as a leading development partner for OEMs by revolutionizing the pace of prototyping production. The new center will shorten the production time from a few months to just a few days, thus accelerating the development of the move to low-carbon environmental protection. Emphasis will be placed on components from the fields of thermal management, mechatronics and electronics.

Michael Frick, Chairman of the MAHLE Management Board and Chief Financial Officer, said: "New systems and components must be developed faster than they were a few years ago, especially when it comes to sustainable carbon-neutral drive system solutions." "With our new 3D Printing Center and SLM Solutions as a technology partner, MAHLE has once again accelerated the pace of its strategic areas, such as electric vehicles."

This collaboration formally deepens the existing collaboration between the two companies. Globally, approximately 120 SLM Solutions systems for automotive applications are already operating in OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. SLM Solutions will have a dedicated application engineer support at MAHLE every step of the way, from prototyping to mass production and manufacturing equipment production.

About the MAHLE Group

MAHLE Group is the world's leading development partner and supplier to the automotive industry. The Group is currently focused on the areas of powertrain technology and thermal management, with a long-term focus on future topics related to mobility. As part of its dual strategy, MAHLE is working on smart internal combustion engines that use hydrogen and other non-fossil fuels, as well as technologies that will help fuel cells and electric vehicles gain widespread acceptance in the market. Founded in 1920, the company's portfolio covers all key aspects of powertrain and air conditioning technology. Half of the world's cars now have MAHLE components.

In 2020, MAHLE has sales of around €9.8 billion, 160 production sites and 12 major R&D centers in more than 30 countries around the world, with a total of more than 72,000 employees.

About SLM Solutions

SLM Solutions is an integrated solutions provider and metal additive manufacturing partner that focuses on the long-term benefits of its customers and is committed to working with customers at every stage of the process chain to provide customers with comprehensive technical support and knowledge sharing, improve their mastery of technology and help customers maximize their return on investment. SLM Solutions' powerful selective laser melt metal additive manufacturing equipment enables faster, more stable and low-cost production of complex, fully dense metal parts.

As a publicly traded company, SLM Solutions is headquartered in Germany and has offices in China, Canada, France, India, Italy, Russia, Singapore and the United States.