MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions Buys Formetrix Assets, Including Metal-Powder IP

MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions, Mundelein, IL, has acquired the assets of Formetrix, LLC, Mansfield, MA, including the Formetrix metal-powder intellectual-property (IP) portfolio. The acquisition is expected to broaden the capabilities of MacLean-Fogg to service new and existing OEM, Tier One and Tier Two customers, as well as tool and die makers in automotive, EV, industrial, agriculture, heavy truck and construction markets, according to MacLean-Fogg officials. The new business entity, to be known as MacLean Formetrix and based in Macomb Township, MI, will be led by Greg Rizzo, general manager. And, Harald Lemke, formerly of Formetrix, has joined MacLean Formetrix as director of product management.

Combining the Formetrix steel alloys, designed to provide hardness, ductility, toughness and printability, with MacLean-Fogg's manufacturing strength and scope will allow MacLean Formetrix, according to company officials, to build on the initial market successes of the acquired materials and rapidly scale to support a variety of tooling applications in metal forming, die casting, injection molding and more.

"As a previous customer of Formetrix, we were able to implement technical cost breakthroughs with its material and process innovations that others in the additive manufacturing (AM) business claimed were impossible,” says Duncan MacLean, MacLean-Fogg president & CEO. “We couldn't be more excited to continue to make their innovations available for our internal users, as well as serve other innovative manufacturers and tool makers."

The metal-powder materials, combined with advanced 3D printing processes, reportedly allow for tool and die makers and manufacturers to realize cost, time and weight savings, as well as tool-to-tool repeatability by replacing traditionally fabricated hard tools with 3D-printed steel tools and inserts. Additionally, with design and manufacturing freedom enabled by AM, tool designers can create complex coolant channels and shapes to increase value for customers, add company officials.

See also: Formetrix Metals

Technologies: Additive Manufacturing

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