Michelin buys 6th Addup Formup350 Metal 3D printer

Michelin Molding Solutions (MMS) in Greenville, SC has purchased their second AddUp FormUp 350 Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) machine following the successful installation and operation of their first one in 2022. This machine is the sixth added to an expanding global fleet of FormUp’s currently in use across Europe and North America. According to the company, one FormUp 350 can manufacture the quantity of tyre mould inserts which previously required five metal 3D printers.

MMS is Michelin’s worldwide division for production of tyre curing moulds. From locations in Europe, Asia and North America, MMS supplies moulds to Michelin’s tyre manufacturing plants throughout the world. For almost 20 years, MMS has used metal AM to meet those demands. Tyres & Accessories understands that machines have proved particularly useful for the production of 3D sipe designed tyres.

“MMS is very pleased with the productivity and quality achievable on AddUp’s FormUp 350. This level of productivity allowed us to decommission older and less productive 3D printers. We’ve seen improvements in the cleanliness and safety of our operations and our operators very much appreciate its ease of use from build plate programming to machine set up and the machine user interface” Glen Nelson, Technical Development Manager at MMS explained.