Additive Manufacturing (AM) continues to redefine how industries such as aerospace, automotive, med-tech, and energy approach production – offering flexibility, speed, and design freedom like never before. But one barrier remains consistent: the need for effective, scalable post-processing.
Enter electroform™, Holdson’s acid-free electrochemical polishing system, now being implemented in real-world production environments thanks to partnerships with industry leaders like Additive Manufacturing Solutions (AMS).
UK-based AMS, specialists in powder manufacturing, materials testing and AM process optimisation, recently integrated electroform™ into their operations after an in-depth evaluation of its performance. These trials resulted in a transformation in surface quality, cycle time, and overall post-processing efficiency.
“We were thoroughly impressed by the results achieved during the initial trials with electroform™,” said Robert Higham, Director and CEO of AMS. “Bringing this technology in-house opens up new possibilities for us to enhance surface quality, reduce processing times, and meet the high standards our clients expect. This investment aligns perfectly with our commitment to continuous improvement and sustainability.”
The collaboration exemplifies how Holdson is helping drive AM adoption by addressing a critical yet often overlooked pain point: surface finishing. Conventional post-processing methods like grinding and abrasive polishing, are manual, inconsistent, and often incompatible with the complex geometries produced through AM. In contrast, electroform™ offers a controlled, repeatable process that excels at polishing internal channels and delicate features without compromising part integrity.
“We recognise that extensive post-processing requirements can be a barrier to scaling additive manufacturing,” said Neil Dickinson, CTO at Holdson. “Our easy-to-use technology bridges the skills gap and simplifies surface finishing, empowering manufacturers like AMS to focus on innovation and production.”
Designed with sustainability and scalability in mind, electroform™ uses recyclable, acid-free electrolytes, eliminating hazardous chemicals while enabling repeatable, high-quality finishes across a range of materials.
Holdson recently launched the EF-150, a compact system designed for R&D and academic environments, alongside rental schemes aimed at improving accessibility. These initiatives ensure that manufacturers of all sizes, from agile R&D teams to full-scale production houses, can harness electrochemical polishing without large upfront investment.
AMS’s adoption of electroform™ marks a significant milestone in Holdson’s mission to deliver production-ready solutions that support AM’s growth in real-world settings. Their success story serves as proof that modern post-processing technology can remove barriers, reduce costs, and ultimately accelerate the broader adoption of AM across industry.
