Partly funded and owned by steel giant Sandvick, BEAMIT – especially after the acquisition of 3T’s metal AM business in the UK – is the largest metal AM service provider in the world according to the Metal AM market report published by 3dpbm in 2021. The new agreement with Leonardo Aircraft will consolidate this position through the production of numerous new parts.
While BEAMIT company does not seem to value specialized media attention – or its own international media image, the company’s achievements tend to speak for themselves. Major communications such as this one are often limited to social media posts that are “lost in translation”, from Italian to English (which is curious, considering the company’s major presence in the UK). However, the BEAMIT group continues to be a force in additive manufacturing. This is evident by the recent AM production deal with the Italian aerospace company.
With revenues of €14 billion, Leonardo is the largest Italian aerospace company and one of the largest n the world. Leonardo, like many Italian companies and BEAMIT, isn’t very open about sharing information on its additive manufacturing activities using specialized media. The company has provided some details regarding AM implementation, including information about a previous deal with Aidro to support the Leonardo Helicopters business division. Leonardo Aircraft and BEAMIT have been working together since 2017 to create and validate the AM process and define all steps necessary for standardization of parts production.
BEAMIT has produced more than 100 parts and components by using additive manufacturing technology to make Leonardo Aircraft parts. The parts can be installed on several models including the M345 trainer, M346 light combat and C27J Spartan militarily transport aircraft. BEAMIT is located in Fornovo in Italy. It was founded in a small town close to Parma. The company quickly built one of the most extensive machine parks in the world.
Leonardo’s deal is another significant achievement for the company, and the AM industry as a whole. This is especially true when you consider all the testing, validation, and risk analysis that was performed in order for aerospace and defense industry companies to be able to supply safe components to their customers.
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