3D Printing Wire
“Precision Wire for Precision Deposition”
Precision Wires for Precision Deposition
Wire-fed additive manufacturing depends on the feedstock. Every variation in diameter, cast, surface finish or chemistry shows up in the deposit as porosity, inconsistent bead geometry or interrupted builds. That’s why WintWire makes additive manufacturing wire to a higher standard than conventional welding wire.
We’ve been drawing wire on the same Sheffield site since 1870. More than 150 years of skills passed down through generations of wiremakers now go into wire engineered for WAAM, laser-wire and electron-beam deposition processes:
- Tight diameter tolerances for stable, repeatable feeding
- Controlled cast and helix so wire tracks true through the torch or nozzle
- Clean, contaminant-free surfaces to minimise porosity and spatter
- Consistent chemistry from spool to spool, with full traceability
- Precision layer winding for uninterrupted long builds
WintWire wire has been used on a number of high-profile additive manufacturing projects, and we offer one of the widest ranges of AM grades in the UK, from titanium to [nickel alloys / stainless steels / other grades].
Talk to us about your build. Whether you’re qualifying a new material or scaling up production, our team can help you choose the right grade, diameter and spool format.
WAAM Wire
Wire + Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) builds metal parts layer by layer, using an electric arc to melt a wire feedstock. It’s a fast, cost-effective route to large near-net-shape components, but it only performs as well as the wire going into it.
WintWire manufactures precision WAAM wire in Sheffield across a full range of grades. Where a standard grade isn’t quite right, we can produce custom melts to your exact chemistry, so the wire is matched to your application rather than the other way round.
Supplied on spools, in coils or in bulk packs to suit your system and production volumes.
Talk to us about your next build.
WintWire supplies precision wire for all of the below:
- Laser wire DED: a laser melts the wire for fine, accurate deposits with low heat input. Well suited to detailed features, cladding and repair.
- Electron beam DED (EBAM): high-rate deposition in a vacuum, ideal for large, high-value parts in reactive metals such as titanium.
- Plasma and TIG-based deposition: a stable, controllable arc for high-integrity builds and repair work.
- Hybrid systems: deposition and machining in one cell, where consistent feeding is essential to keep the process running.
Each process asks something different of the wire. Laser systems need tight diameter control and a true cast for accurate placement. Electron beam work needs exceptionally clean, low-contamination surfaces. Every process needs consistent chemistry from spool to spool. We manufacture to meet those demands, in a full range of grades and diameters, with custom melts available where standard chemistry won’t do.
Whatever your deposition process, talk to us about the right wire for it.
Previous Projects
New Wire Additive Manufacturing (NEWAM)
Funded Value:£5,886,209
Funded Period: Jun 18 – Jun 24
Funder: EPSRC
Abstract
Our vision is to radically transform Large Area Metal Additive (LAMA) manufacturing, by pioneering:
– new high build-rate wire based DED with greater precision of shape and microstructure
– production of net-shape large-scale engineering structures, at low cost
– guaranteed ‘right-first-time’ homogeneous or tailored high performance properties and structural integrity.
The research outputs from LAMA will include
– New additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing processes for metals with greatly enhanced capability and level of control
– New concepts or feedstock material including compositions, novel shapes and new configurations
– A radically different approach to guaranteeing that component manufactured using these new processes and materials is fit for purpose in demanding structural applications, such as in aircraft manufacture
These are all highly beneficial for UK industry, including end-users of the research outputs from LAMA, as well as the whole supply chain for this new technology. End-users include many industry sectors such as aerospace, defence, energy (including renewables and nuclear), and construction. The new AM processes and materials will lead to significantly reduced manufacturing costs and lead times, combined with much higher productivity. This will make these UK industries much more competitive internationally. LAMA will also give the opportunity for UK businesses to lead the supply chain for these new AM processes, including specialist hardware, lasers, and feedstock materials; providing a major opportunity for export worldwide.
High Productivity Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (HPWAAM)
Funded Value:£1,220,291
Funded Period: Nov 20 – Oct 20
Funder: Innovate UK
**Aim** Demonstrate a new High Productivity Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing process for manufacturing large components and structures for mining, oil&gas and construction industries.
**Objectives**
Industrialise the HPWAAM process for large-scale engineering components,featuring full thermal control and variable resolution (CU, WAAM3D-SME).
Upgrade existing planning and control software to commercial grade enabling implementation of HPWAAM in an industrial environment.
Demonstrate the capabilities of HPWAAM for production of \>100kg steel components for mining and construction applications.
Led by Weir Group this challenging project consists of a consortium covering all aspects necessary for industrial implementation of HPWAAM; process technology development (CU, BOC), supply chain (WAAM3D, Wintwire), end users (Weir, Fosters+Partners) and steel fabrication supplier (Steelo-SME).