Traditional Metal Specialist Ventures intoDigital Fabrication
LaserTool, a well-established Scandinavian company withover two decades of expertise in laser hardening, has announced a strategicpivot into the rapidly evolving additive manufacturing sector. The company'sacquisition of an advanced SLM 500 metal 3D printing system from Nikon SLMSolutions represents a significant expansion of its manufacturing capabilitiesand business model. This technological investment positions LaserTool toaddress increasing regional demand for high-performance steel components whilesimultaneously reducing material waste compared to traditional manufacturingmethods. The company plans to leverage its extensive metallurgical knowledge toproduce large structural components, spare parts, tooling solutions, andprototypes using high-strength steel powders supplied by Swedish steelmanufacturer SSAB. To accommodate this new production line, LaserTool isexpanding its facility by adding 400 square meters of dedicated manufacturingspace, signaling a substantial commitment to this technological transition. Themove reflects a growing trend among traditional manufacturing specialists toincorporate advanced digital fabrication technologies into their existingoperations rather than treating additive manufacturing as an entirely separateindustrial domain.
Nordic Manufacturing Landscape EmbracesAdvanced Metal Printing
LaserTool's expansion comes at a pivotal moment forNorthern European manufacturing, as the region increasingly embraces additivemanufacturing technologies to maintain competitive advantages in globalmarkets. The addition of the SLM 500 system will enhance the Nordic industrialecosystem's capabilities in producing complex, high-value components thatrequire exceptional material properties. Martin Nilsson, CEO of LaserTool,emphasized the strategic importance of this investment, stating: "With thisinvestment, LaserTool will meet growing market demand and strengthen ourcompetitive edge as a comprehensive manufacturing partner." The company'sinitiative aligns with broader regional efforts to advance manufacturingcapabilities beyond traditional methods, particularly for applicationsrequiring specialized material performance characteristics. As one of the earlyadopters of metal additive manufacturing at this scale in Scandinavia,LaserTool's move may catalyze further investment in similar technologies throughoutthe region's industrial sector. The company's established reputation in lasermaterial processing provides a foundation of technical expertise that couldaccelerate the successful implementation and utilization of these advancedmanufacturing capabilities.
High-Throughput System Enables ComplexComponent Production
The SLM 500 system acquired byLaserTool represents the current state of the art in selective laser meltingtechnology, designed specifically for high-throughput manufacturing of complexmetal components. The system's capabilities span both prototyping and seriesproduction applications, making it a versatile addition to LaserTool'smanufacturing arsenal. With installation and commissioning expected in thesecond quarter of 2025, the company is positioning itself to begin servingcustomers with advanced additive manufacturing needs by mid-year. The SLM 500'stechnical specifications enable the production of components with intricateinternal geometries and optimized material usage that would be impossible toachieve through conventional manufacturing methods. Sam O'Leary, CEO of NikonSLM Solutions, highlighted the significance of this deployment, noting:"We are proud to support LaserTool's ambitious expansion into additivemanufacturing. Our collaboration marks a significant milestone in acceleratingAM adoption across the Nordic region." The system's ability to processhigh-strength steel powders will be particularly valuable for applications inheavy industry, machinery manufacturing, and infrastructure development wherecomponent durability and performance under extreme conditions are essentialrequirements
Sustainability Drives Manufacturing Evolution
LaserTool has emphasized that its new additivemanufacturing operations will be powered entirely by renewable energy sources,underscoring the company's commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices.This focus on environmental responsibility extends beyond energy consumption tothe inherent material efficiency of additive manufacturing processes. Unliketraditional subtractive manufacturing methods that can waste up to 90% of rawmaterials through cutting and machining operations, selective laser meltingbuilds components layer by layer, using only the material needed for the finalpart. Martin Nilsson highlighted this advantage, explaining that additivemanufacturing will significantly reduce material waste while improving thecompany's environmental footprint. This approach aligns with growing pressureon industrial manufacturers to minimize resource consumption and carbonemissions throughout their operations. By combining renewable energy withmaterial-efficient production technologies, LaserTool is positioning itself asa forward-thinking manufacturing partner for clients with stringentsustainability requirements. The company's integrated approach to environmentalresponsibility could serve as a model for other manufacturing firms looking tobalance technological advancement with ecological considerations.
Strategic Partnership Enhances RegionalManufacturing Capabilities
The collaboration between LaserTool and Nikon SLM Solutionsrepresents more than a simple equipment purchase; it establishes a strategicpartnership aimed at advancing additive manufacturing capabilities throughoutNorthern Europe. Nikon SLM Solutions will provide not only the hardware butalso technical expertise and support as LaserTool develops its additivemanufacturing operations. This knowledge transfer is crucial for successfullyimplementing complex manufacturing technologies in new settings. The partnershipalso involves SSAB, which will supply specialized high-strength steel powdersoptimized for the selective laser melting process. This three-way collaborationbrings together complementary expertise in manufacturing processes, equipmentengineering, and materials science, creating a robust foundation for innovationin metal component production. Such partnerships are increasingly common in theadditive manufacturing sector, where successful implementation often requiresclose cooperation between technology providers, material suppliers, andend-users. By establishing this collaborative ecosystem, LaserTool ispositioning itself to overcome the technical challenges that have historicallylimited the adoption of metal additive manufacturing for industrialapplications.
Transformative Production Possibilities Emerge
LaserTool's CEO Martin Nilsson emphasized that additivemanufacturing opens entirely new possibilities for component design andproduction that were previously unattainable through conventional manufacturingmethods. This transformative potential extends beyond simple replication ofexisting parts to fundamental redesigns that optimize performance whilereducing weight, material usage, and assembly complexity. For example,components that traditionally required assembly from multiple pieces can oftenbe produced as single, integrated units through additive manufacturing,eliminating potential failure points at joining surfaces. Similarly, internalstructures can be optimized for specific loading conditions or thermalmanagement requirements without the constraints imposed by traditionalmachining access limitations. These capabilities are particularly valuable inindustries where component performance directly impacts operational efficiency,such as energy production, transportation, and heavy machinery. As LaserTooldevelops expertise in leveraging these design freedoms, the company will bepositioned to offer clients not just manufacturing services but comprehensiveengineering solutions that reimagine how critical components are designed andproduced. This evolution from component manufacturer to solution providerrepresents a significant value-added proposition in increasingly competitiveglobal markets.
Global Context: Nikon's Expanding AdditiveManufacturing Footprint
LaserTool's investment in Nikon SLM Solutions technologyreflects a broader pattern of expansion for the Japanese imaging and precisionequipment giant in the additive manufacturing sector. In March, NikonCorporation was selected by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) as atechnology development partner under the FY2024 Space Strategy Fund. Thiscollaboration focuses on leveraging additive manufacturing for lightweight,high-performance, and cost-efficient space transportation systems. Nikon's contributioncenters on its NXG XII 600 platform and domestic manufacturing infrastructure,with the explicit goal of reducing production costs and lead times for largeprecision space components. The company's growing presence in aerospaceapplications demonstrates the increasing maturity and acceptance of metaladditive manufacturing for mission-critical components in highly demandingenvironments. Nikon's strategic positioning across multiple high-value sectors,from aerospace to industrial manufacturing, indicates the company's commitmentto establishing itself as a leading provider of advanced manufacturingsolutions. This global context provides important perspective on LaserTool'sinvestment decision, suggesting that the Nordic company is aligning itself withemerging best practices in advanced manufacturing that are gaining tractionacross multiple industries and geographic regions.
Key Takeaways:
• LaserTool, a Scandinavian laser hardening specialist withover 20 years of experience, is expanding into additive manufacturing with theacquisition of an SLM 500 metal 3D printer from Nikon SLM Solutions, adding 400square meters of production space to house the new equipment for operationbeginning in Q2 2025.
• The company will power its additive manufacturingoperations with renewable energy sources while leveraging high-strength steelpowders from SSAB to produce complex components that reduce material wastecompared to traditional manufacturing methods, supporting both sustainabilitygoals and advanced design capabilities.
• Nikon SLM Solutions is expanding its global additivemanufacturing footprint beyond the LaserTool partnership, having recently beenselected by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) as a technologydevelopment partner to create lightweight, high-performance components forspace transportation systems using its NXG XII 600 platform.
