Doubling Down

Linear Mold & Engineering--which has recently been a featured company in MMT's Additive Manufacturing Supplement, a tour shop, an amerimold exhibitor and a technical conference presenter--has announced this week that it plans to double its 3D metal printing capacity.

According to a recent release, the shop plans to expand its 24,000-square-foot Livonia, MI, headquarters facility by 17,000 square feet to make room for eight more DMLM (direct metal laser melting) machines, a dedicated training center plus expanded finishing and tooling operations. Two of the DMLM machines are to be delivered in two weeks. 

Linear's expansion will include the following enhancements to their current capabilities:

• New DMLM Machine Lab with dedicated DMLM Training Center
• Dedicated space for 32 additional DMLM machines
• Expanded finishing (or post-processing) stations
• Expanded tooling & mold-making operations including new gun drill, and CNC & EDM equipment

Two DMLM machines are on order, an EOS M280 and one dual laser SLM280. Using the DMLM technology, Linear designs and builds 3D printed conformal cooling channels for injection molds for the mold making industry. However, the growth segment for Linear is supply chain optimization via the design and build of DMLM 3D printed production solutions for the automotive, aerospace/defense, energy, medical devices and CPG industries. 

Linear has engaged Stephens Inc., a privately held financial services firm with a strong focus on providing Investment Banking services to the 3D Printing markets, to assist in funding Linear's expansion plans.