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August opens with a moment worth acknowledging. Dr. Dieter Schwarze, co-inventor of the SLM process and one of the most consequential figures in the history of metal additive manufacturing, has begun his retirement after more than 40 years of contributions that shaped the technology and the industry around it. Beyond that milestone, this issue covers motorsport, upcoming events, and a webinar you won’t want to miss. Here is what is shaping Advancing August.
Some careers shape a company. Others shape an entire industry. Dr. Dieter Schwarze’s did both. As co-inventor of the SLM process, he helped transform metal additive manufacturing from an emerging concept into a global production technology, contributing over 100 inventions and patents across more than 40 years of work. His influence runs through nearly every generation of SLM technology, from the earliest systems to the platforms driving the industry today. As he begins a well-deserved retirement, this short video looks back at an extraordinary career and the mark he leaves on everyone who builds, develops, or depends on metal additive manufacturing.
Formula Student Germany is an international engineering design competition where student teams put their skills, speed, and ingenuity to the test at Hockenheimring. This year, Nikon SLM Solutions was on-site supporting technical partners Oxford Brookes Racing and Seagulls Lübeck. The collaboration produced topology-optimized rocker arms in AlSi10Mg for Seagulls Lübeck, designed for high stiffness and low mass using a fatigue-resistant Precision parameter, and air-cooled motor heatsinks in Aheadd® CP1 for Oxford Brookes Racing, significantly reducing the mass of a liquid-cooling system while maintaining performance. Both designs were put to the test on track.
For aerospace and space manufacturers, adopting metal additive manufacturing means committing to a fundamentally different way of designing and producing parts, and that shift carries real risk. In these short videos, Nneji Kemakolam, General Manager of Nikon SLM Solutions North America, explains how the Long Beach facility, Nikon’s backing, and the design advantages of metal AM work together to reduce that risk and give customers a more confident path to production.
The Motorsport Technology Expo comes to Farnborough on September 15 and 16, and Nikon SLM Solutions will be there. Andrew Cunningham, Senior Application Engineer and our resident motorsport technical specialist, is joining a joint conference session alongside Bosch and Ford Racing to discuss how metal additive manufacturing is shaping performance in motorsport. The event brings together suppliers, engineers, and decision-makers from across the sector. You can register for a free visitor pass using the link below.
On September 22, Nikon SLM Solutions and Materialise are hosting a joint webinar on the Next-Gen Build Processor for Nikon SLM Solutions systems. If you missed the first announcement, this is worth your time. The Next-Gen Build Processor delivers a fully validated workflow from design to job file preparation, with processing speeds up to 10 times faster than before, low-angle printing support, improved thermal control, and optimized laser allocation for next-generation systems. Two sessions are available to fit your time zone.
When: September 22, 2026
Choose the session that fits your time zone.
Stay ahead of the curve with Addictive Additive, Nikon SLM Solutions’ dedicated blog for exclusive business cases, expert insights, and the latest trends in additive manufacturing. Whether you’re exploring advanced aerospace applications, cutting-edge automotive innovations, or new material developments, our blog has you covered.
Data Center Cooling Case Study
3D-Printed Component Cuts Data Center Cooling Energy, Beats Performance Target by 50%
Suppressor White Paper
Additive Manufacturing of Suppressors — From Design Freedom to Scalable Production
Fundamental Motorsports
Driving High-Performance Racing Components Into the Future
Curious about how metal additive manufacturing (AM) is reshaping industries?
Our collection of on-demand webinars gives you access to the latest innovations and trends in this transformative technology. From aerospace to energy, metal AM is changing the way we manufacture. Explore topics such as:
Ready to discover how metal AM can push your business forward? Watch our on-demand webinars and get inspired.
NI-BASED ALLOYS
Nickel-based alloys provide exceptional strength, heat resistance, and corrosion performance, making them essential for demanding applications in aerospace, energy, and industrial sectors where extreme temperatures and harsh environments require reliable, high-performing materials.
CU-BASED ALLOYS
Copper-based alloys offer outstanding thermal and electrical conductivity along with strong mechanical performance, making them essential for applications in tooling, electronics, and advanced energy systems where high strength and efficient heat or power transfer are critical.
TK Engineering and Nikon SLM Solutions are pioneering copper alloy AM for induction heating coils. Our SLM®280 delivers superior quality, efficiency, and sustainability, supporting carbon neutrality goals.
Download this case study to learn more about GRCop-42, a copper alloy essential for rocket engine components that require high thermal conductivity and strength.
NXG 600E 
NXG XII 600 
SLM®500 
SLM®280 PS 
SLM®280 2.0 
