Tenova will take the lead in a project called Metal Additive for Lombardy (MADE4LO), which will start in the fall and focus on the development of metal 3D-printing technology. The ultimate goal of the pilot project is to cover the entire value chain – from equipment supply to the finished product – creating a new model of factory based on 3D manufacturing. All business units of Tenova Metals are involved in the implementation of MADE4LO to define the most cost-effective equipment for metal-powder production; to select, design and test the metal components to produce by AM; and to design and manufacture a heat-treatment furnace to be installed at its Pomini factory.

The project, which is partially funded by the European Regional Development Fund, will last 30 months for a total investment of approximately $7.8 million. It includes 11 partners from Lombardy in northwestern Italy, specifically two universities (Politecnico di Milano and Università di Pavia), three large industries (Tenova, BLM, and GF Machining Solutions) and six SMEs (TTM Laser, 3D-NT, GFM, Fubri, Co. Stamp and Officine Meccaniche G. Lafranconi).