About Us
505AM is a fully integrated engineer and contract manufacturer of metal additive manufacturing products for the aerospace, defense and automotive industries. Additive manufacturing (AM) has become an important and increasingly cost-competitive alternative to many traditional production technologies. To deploy a scalable, sustainable, and future-proof AM capability, 505AM has developed business channels of in-house product engineering and production, and become a resource to outside manufacturers to capitalize on the efficiencies that AM can deliver. The company’s core mission is to support various industries seeking to utilize AM for part production.
Advancing High-Throughput Food Manufacturing with 3D Metal Printed Parts
Metal additive manufacturing on large-build-volume platforms is unlocking new possibilities for process tooling and contact parts in food production. By pairing complex, hygienic designs with food-grade powders, processors gain faster cycle times, easier sanitation, and tighter thermal control without sacrificing throughput.
1. Hygienic, Assembly-Free Designs
Fully integrated melt trays, nozzles and molds eliminate crevices and gasketed joints that trap residue. Smooth, self-draining channels enable true clean-in-place (CIP), reducing manual disassembly. Optimized surface textures strike the balance between non-stick performance and washability.
2. Thermal Management
Embedded cooling or heating channels deliver uniform temperature control across tooling surfaces. Targeted heat removal speeds cycle times and prevention of “hot spots” that can cause product defects. Energy efficiency improvement as water or glycol usage decreases.
3. Food-Grade Powder Solutions for Quad-Laser Platforms
High-throughput LPBF systems accommodate a range of certified powders:
- 316L Stainless Steel: Superior corrosion resistance under acidic cleaning cycles and washdowns.
- 17-4 PH Stainless Steel: High strength for wear-intensive or load-bearing fixtures.
- Copper–Chromium Alloys (CuCr0.6): Thermal conductivity >200 W/m·K, ideal for rapid cooling molds.
- Copper–Nickel Alloys (CuNi2SiCr): Excellent biocidal properties and heat transfer for heat-exchanger plates.
- AlSi10Mg: Light-weight contact components with good strength and rapid heat dissipation.
Powders typically feature 15–45 µm, spherical, gas-atomized particles, tightly controlled chemistry, and low residual oxygen ensuring repeatable melt behavior and part density.
4. Application Spotlight: Chocolate Molding with Conformal 316L Tooling
A confectionery line shifting from conventionally bored molds to LPBF-printed 316L inserts featuring enhanced channel cooling would likely achieve outcomes including:
- Faster molding cycles, boosting seasonal throughput
- Uniform chocolate crystallization, eliminating streaks and “cold spots”
- Improved surface finish while meeting food-contact standards
5. Ensuring Sanitation and Compliance
Post-build heat treatments and passivation deliver stable oxide layers that withstand aggressive CIP chemistries. Electrochemical polishing reduces roughness, minimizing bacterial adhesion. A selection of alloys to comply with FDA Title 21 CFR and EU No 1935/2004 food-contact regulations are readily available.
6. Industry Adoption
By leveraging high-capacity LPBF systems and certified food-grade powders, food manufacturers can achieve lighter, more complex, and hygienic tooling driving efficiency and product quality to new heights.
