When Wärtsilä required a special-size hex bit for maintenance operations, the correct size tool was not available from the supplier in a low enough minimum order quantity — and certainly not fast enough to meet operational needs. The team needed a rapid, precise, and reliable manufacturing method to keep work on schedule.
The hex bits were quickly modeled and produced from MS1 tool steel at the AM Campus using Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) technology. Two production batches were manufactured to achieve exceptional dimensional accuracy of ±0.015 mm (±15 µm).
To ensure optimal performance, two different heat treatments were tested, helping determine the best hardness for this type of tool and its demanding industrial use cases.
By leveraging metal additive manufacturing, Wärtsilä bypassed supplier delays, eliminated high minimum order requirements, and gained full control over the precision and mechanical properties of the hex bits. The project demonstrated how AM can deliver fast, small-batch, high-accuracy tooling tailored to specific industrial requirements.
Learn more about additive manufacturing possibilities at FAME ecosystem. Join us to collaborate on next-generation manufacturing solutions and accelerate innovation at the AM Campus: contact fame@dimecc.com.
