Wärtsilä required a small batch of functional lifting tools in tool steel, each traceable with a unique serial number. Ordering them through conventional machining would have meant long lead times, high per-unit costs, and no straightforward way to embed part identification directly into the geometry.
Metal additive manufacturing offered a better path with the right setup and know-how.
The tools were designed for printing in EOS MaragingSteel MS1 and produced on the EOS M290 at FAME Campus. Print parameters were tuned for efficiency and clean results: 40 µm layer height, Smart Fusion enabled, and supports kept to a minimum.
Post-processing followed a full industrial workflow:
Serial numbers were embedded directly into the 3D geometry — no labelling, no stickers, no separate process.
Six functional lifting tools were delivered, all with serial numbers clearly legible even at a small font size. The parts met the requirements for use in Wärtsilä’s production environment.
One observation worth noting: parts positioned near the edges of the build platform showed minor warping after heat treatment, caused by uneven cooling. This was documented and shared as a learning for future builds.
That’s the point of FAME Campus — not just to deliver parts, but to share what happens along the way. Three learnings from this case are now public:
Supports matter less with Smart Fusion. Minimising supports when using Smart Fusion significantly simplified post-processing. Less to remove, less risk of surface damage.
Embedded labelling works reliably. Serial numbers printed directly into the part contour are legible and durable — no need for secondary marking processes.
Avoid the platform edges. Parts near the edges of the build platform are more exposed to temperature variation during heat treatment. Warping is a real risk, and it’s avoidable with careful placement.
FAME Campus is a shared metal additive manufacturing facility at Wärtsilä’s Sustainable Technology Hub in Vaasa, Finland. Member companies get hands-on access to the EOS M290, expert operators, design and simulation support — and all learnings are published publicly so the whole ecosystem benefits.
No need to invest in your own machine. Just bring a challenge.
Learn more about additive manufacturing possibilities at FAME ecosystem. Join us to collaborate on next-generation manufacturing solutions and accelerate innovation at the FAME Campus: contact fame@dimecc.com.
