能源2026：大型金属增材制造如何助力能源设备商摆脱锻造与铸造瓶颈

In the high-stakes world of energy manufacturing, a single missing forged component isn’t just a minor delay. It can halt an entire maintenance operation for nearly a year. Forging queues, foundry backlogs, and complex multi-supplier logistics have long been accepted as unavoidable costs. But as lead times for critical alloy parts stretch beyond twelve months, a powerful alternative is emerging: large-scale metal additive manufacturing (AM).

在高压力的能源制造领域，一个缺失的锻件不仅仅是微小的延误。它可能导致整个维护作业停滞近一年之久。长期以来，锻造排队、铸造厂积压以及复杂的多供应商物流一直被视作不可避免的成本。但随着关键合金部件的交付周期延长至十二个月以上，一种强大的替代方案正在兴起：大规模金属增材制造（AM）。

We explore how this shift is empowering Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to reclaim control of their supply chains and production timelines.

我们将探讨这一转变如何赋能原始设备制造商（OEMs），使其重新掌控供应链和生产时间线。

According to industry experts, the move towards metal AM often begins with accumulated pressure. “Energy OEMs typically approach us when they face long lead times, supply chain constraints, or limited manufacturing flexibility with traditional processes like forging or casting,” explains Yash Bandari, Director of Business Development at Fastech Engineering. For many, the decision to find an alternative is already made; the real challenge is qualifying a new manufacturing method quickly enough to make a difference.

据行业专家称，向金属增材制造的转变往往始于累积的压力。“能源设备制造商通常在面临长交付周期、供应链限制或传统锻造铸造工艺制造灵活性不足时找到我们，”Fastech Engineering业务发展总监Yash Bandari解释道。对许多人来说，寻找替代方案的决定已经做出；真正的挑战在于如何快速验证新的制造方法以产生实际影响。

To address this, forward-thinking manufacturers are leveraging wire-based AM processes:

为解决这一问题，具有前瞻性的制造商正在利用基于线材的增材制造工艺：

Both methods are typically followed by integrated CNC machining and inspection. The key advantage? These processes “allow material to be added precisely where it is needed,” says Bandari, “reducing waste and minimizing machining compared to traditional subtractive approaches.” This efficiency is a core principle behind advanced manufacturing, much like the design-for-manufacture thinking applied to creating premium STL files for 3D printing.

这两种方法通常都集成了后续的CNC加工和检测。关键优势是什么？Bandari表示，这些工艺“允许材料被精确地添加到需要的地方”，“与传统减材方法相比，减少了浪费并最大限度地减少了加工需求”。这种效率是先进制造背后的核心原则，类似于为3D打印创建优质STL文件时所应用的面向制造的设计思维。

The transition from conventional forging to additive manufacturing is a strategic journey. It often starts with engineering teams who evaluate AM for its design flexibility, material performance, and near-net-shape benefits. Once technical feasibility is proven, procurement teams assess it as a supply chain strategy—especially when it reduces reliance on large forgings, constrained castings, or single-source suppliers.

从传统锻造转向增材制造是一段战略旅程。它通常始于工程团队，他们评估增材制造在设计灵活性、材料性能和近净成形方面的优势。一旦技术可行性得到验证，采购团队会将其作为一种供应链策略进行评估——特别是当它能减少对大型锻件、受限铸件或单一来源供应商的依赖时。

Ultimately, Bandari notes, leadership alignment is what solidifies this technological shift within an organization. A successful example is Fastech’s collaboration with Siemens Energy, where a nickel-alloy component was manufactured using WAAM as a new build, bypassing traditional sourcing bottlenecks entirely.

Bandari指出，最终，领导层的共识是巩固组织内这一技术转变的关键。一个成功的例子是Fastech与西门子能源的合作，其中使用WAAM作为全新制造方法生产了一个镍合金部件，完全绕过了传统的采购瓶颈。

The economic case for large-scale metal AM is clear and specific. It shines brightest for large, high-value components plagued by long lead times or fragile supply chains. Prime candidates include:

大规模金属增材制造的经济效益是明确且具体的。它在那些饱受长交付周期或脆弱供应链困扰的大型、高价值部件上表现最为突出。主要应用对象包括：

These parts, often made from nickel-based alloys, benefit immensely from near-net-shape deposition. Geometries like cylindrical shapes, rings, and large hollow structures see the greatest advantage, as significant amounts of machining are eliminated upfront. This reduction in machining time and material waste translates directly into faster production cycles and lower costs, offering a compelling alternative to waiting in year-long forging queues.

This paradigm shift mirrors the advantages seen in other areas of 3D printing, where digital inventory and on-demand production of 3D printing models streamline creation and reduce physical storage needs.

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