Optomec acquires metal 3D printing firm Huffman

Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Optomec, which offers production-grade additive manufacturing solutions has acquired Huffman, a supplier of 3D metal printing systems for additive repair of gas turbine components in the energy and aviation markets. Huffman’s equipment and software are in production at many major manufacturers of aircraft engines and industrial gas turbines, who use its metal deposition capabilities to restore worn or damaged components at lower cost than newly-made spare parts.

Founded in 1961, Huffman has developed and implemented production laser cladding and welding systems, multi-axes profile grinders, and abrasive waterjet machines. Its solutions are qualified for the production and repair of components in aerospace, power generation, and medical device manufacturing. Huffman is based in an ISO-9000/AS 9100C certified facility in Clover, South Carolina.

The acquisition combines Optomec’s broad horizontal market reach with Huffman’s deep penetration in the gas turbine market. The synergies extend to complementary product portfolios and technical expertise, which together sets the stage for accelerated growth in both businesses.

Optomec and Huffman deliver a form of directed energy deposition (DED) metal 3D printing known by its tradename, laser engineered net shaping (LENS), that can print parts at a fraction of the time and cost of powder bed fusion (PBF) or selective laser melting (SLM) metal printing with better material and mechanical properties. Additionally, LENS can add metal to existing parts for repair and coating applications that extend components’ useful life.

“The opportunity for additive manufacturing in repair applications is often overlooked, but when you consider that corrosion and wear cost the US economy $300 billion per year, and that the global commercial aviation industry spends almost $100 billion annually on repair, you can get a better sense of the magnitude of these markets,” said David Ramahi, Optomec’s president and CEO.