REM Surface Engineering says it has agreed with Nikon Advanced Manufacturing and Constellium to develop optimized surface-finishing processes for its AheaddCP1 aluminum powder for additive manufacturing via laser powder-bed fusion.
Constellium’s Aheadd CP1 has attracted interest from users of laser powder bed fusion technology across the aerospace, defense, motorsport, semiconductor, and other industries due to its material properties, printability, and single-step heat treatment. Nikon AM says it recognized the potential of this novel aluminum alloy and has pursued its industrialization to meet the needs of its growing customer base.
REM, Constellium, and Nikon AM will collaborate to develop optimized surface finishing processes — REM’s Chemical Polishing and Chemical-Mechanical Polishing processes — for PBF-LB with Aheadd CP1. This collaboration is expected to advance the manufacturing process chain for Aheadd CP1, enabling faster, more cost-effective implementation for applications such as aerospace structural components, RF waveguides, and heat exchangers.
Sylvain Henry, Dr. Behrang Poorganji, and Justin Michaud.“REM is honored to partner with Nikon and Constellium to help actualize the immense potential of Aheadd CP1,” says Justin Michaud, CEO of REM Surface Engineering. “Thanks to our extensive experience within the additive manufacturing industry, REM is fortunate to have strong relationships with these global industry leaders, and we are excited about the potential that this program will bring to the AM marketplace as a whole.”
Dr. Behrang Poorganji, VP Technology, Nikon AM, says they are excited to formalize this collaboration with Constellium and REM.
“Aheadd CP1 is a highly capable aluminum alloy offering high conductivity and solid processability,” Poorganji says. “By pairing REM’s advanced surface finishing technologies with our large-format, production-ready L-PBF platforms, we aim to unlock its full application envelope, particularly in thermal management and structural components. Through this collaboration, we expect to accelerate the path toward fully optimized, production-ready solutions for defense and aerospace.”
Sylvain Henry, Vice President, Research & Development, Constellium, says Aheadd CP1 demonstrates unique potential for next-generation structural and thermal components across multiple industries.
“Through this early-stage collaboration, we aim to explore advanced surface finishing pathways that could further extend the alloy’s capabilities for high-performance applications,” Henry says. “We look forward to working with Nikon and REM as we collectively evaluate these promising process innovations.”
REM Surface Engineering, the inventor of the ISF Process, Rapid ISF Process, Extreme ISF Process, and the REM Process, is a global leader in surface engineering solutions. REM’s isotropic superfinishing technologies provide value-added, performance-enhancing improvements to conventional machining operations such as grinding and lapping.
Founded in 1965 in Southington, Connecticut, by Robert Michaud, REM Surface Engineering is a family-owned company that has proudly served its partners and customers for over 60 years. The company operates four locations in Brenham, TX; Southington, CT; Merrillville, IN; and Willich, Germany, delivering products and services to customers worldwide.
Founded in April 2023, Nikon Advanced Manufacturing Inc. (Nikon AM) in California, USA, is the global headquarters of Nikon’s Advanced Manufacturing Business Unit. Nikon AM pioneers digital manufacturing solutions for the aerospace and defense, automotive, aviation, energy sectors, and beyond, by integrating human creativity with machine precision in a globally connected society to transform the future of manufacturing.
Constellium (NYSE: CSTM) is a global sector leader that develops innovative, value-added aluminum products for a broad scope of markets and applications, including aerospace, packaging, and automotive. Constellium generated $7.3 billion of revenue in 2024.
Visit https://www.remchem.com and www.constellium.com.
