Feb 21 2013
Liquidmetal® Technologies, Inc. (LTI), the leading developer of amorphous alloys and composites, has reported an increased level of Liquidmetal prototype parts shipped to major players in the aerospace, defense, and medical industries.
Liquidmetal alloy is a new class of material that is sparking an industrial revolution much in the same way as the invention of steel or plastics. The growing number of shipments in 2012, as well as the increasing number of active prototypes undergoing extensive evaluation by customers, reveals an intensifying interest in the unique performance characteristics of this patented alloy system.
The name of Liquidmetal is derived from the fact that the alloy appears like metal and has twice the strength of titanium, but possesses an amorphous (non-crystalline, liquid-like) atomic structure that behaves more like plastics, particularly during the manufacturing process. This results in a unique combination of properties for Liquidmetal-based parts, such as “high hardness,” elasticity, high strength-to-weight and resistance to corrosion and abrasion. Its unique molding characteristics during the manufacturing process allow for an extraordinary level of intricacy and precision as well as the creation of complex parts designs never before thought possible.
Q4 and 2012 Prototype Summary
In 2012, 10 prototype shipments were delivered to customers in the aerospace/defense, medical and other industries, which was up 233% from 2011.
At the end of the fourth quarter of 2012, there were 10 Liquidmetal prototypes parts actively being evaluated by customers. This is up from seven in the prior quarter and up from three in the same year-ago quarter.
Prototypes allow potential or current customers to analyze and qualify parts before full production runs begin. This is typically a complex and lengthy process, and often requires a number of prototype iterations.
In November, Liquidmetal Technologies announced the first successful transition of a prototype part into commercial production with the shipment of a large order of specialized parts from its certified manufacturing partner. This process had progressed from lab-prototype parts produced in the Liquidmetal R&D facility to production-prototype parts built in the contract manufacturing facility, and culminated with fully-qualified production parts being ordered and shipping on a regular basis to a leading global manufacturer.
“This dramatic increase in the demand for prototype parts has been well-timed to the certification of our first commercial production capabilities,” said Tom Steipp, Liquidmetal Technologies’ president and CEO. “With our third-generation Liquidmetal manufacturing process introduced in early 2012, we’ve demonstrated we can meet the demanding requirements of our customers. This is stimulating interest and confidence in our Liquidmetal solutions, and now our prototype pipeline has never been stronger.”
According to Dr. Glenton Jelbert, the company’s new vice president of engineering: “While it is typically a lengthy process leading from prototype development to purchase orders for production-level parts, we’re confident that as we continue to work closely with our customers to perfect their Liquidmetal alloy parts, we expect to see more prototypes entering into commercial production over the course of the year.”
Jelbert was recently appointed to oversee the company’s numerous development projects, including next-generation golf clubs, based on Liquidmetal alloys, as well as pursue opportunities that enhance the company’s extensive IP portfolio.
Source: http://www.liquidmetal.com/