FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RENO, NV – March 19, 2026 – REM Surface Engineering, a global leader in surface finishing solutions, is proud to announce a historic achievement at the 2026 Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) Conference. The company’s groundbreaking submission, “Breaking the Powder Barrier,” was awarded first place in the Technical Competition’s Finishing & Post-Processing category and also captured the coveted Members’ Choice Award.
Winning both the expert-judged technical track and the peer-voted Members’ Choice Award marks a significant milestone for REM Surface Engineering, signaling a major leap forward in solving one of metal additive manufacturing’s (AM) most persistent challenges: the “Powder Trap.”
Overcoming the “Powder Trap”
The winning entry showcases REM’s innovative Selective Chemical Declogging (SCD) process. Developed under a United States Air Force (USAF) SBIR effort, this technology is designed to selectively dissolve entrapped powder and “caked” residue from complex internal cavities—such as those found in high-performance heat exchangers—without compromising the dimensional integrity or delicate thin-walled structures of the part.
“To be recognized by both the expert judicial panel and our peers in the AM community is a testament to the hard work of our entire team,” said Dr. Joshua Boykin. “By overcoming the limitations of powder entrapment, we are unlocking the next generation of AM design, allowing engineers to create even more complex, high-efficiency geometries that were previously impossible to clean.”
Innovation Through Strategic Collaboration
This double victory was made possible through the collaboration of a dedicated team, including Dr. Joshua Boykin, Dr. Agustin Diaz, and Patrick McFadden, alongside world-class partners who pushed the boundaries of the SCD process:
– The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University: Provided the TPMS HX model and expert PBF-LB (Laser Beam) printing.
– Parker Aerospace: Provided the complex PBF-EB/Ti-6Al-4V (Electron Beam) heat exchanger geometries that tested the limits of the process against extreme titanium “cake” clogging.
– Nikon Metrology: Utilized high-resolution X-ray CT scanning to non-destructively validate 100% powder removal while ensuring critical features remained intact.
Defining the Future of Post-Processing
As additive manufacturing moves further into serial production for aerospace, defense, and energy applications, the ability to ensure clean, clear internal channels is critical. REM Surface Engineering’s SCD process provides a scalable, repeatable solution that ensures part performance and safety.
For more information about REM Surface Engineering and the Selective Chemical Declogging process, please visit remchem.com.
About REM Surface Engineering
REM Surface Engineering is a pioneer in the field of mass finishing and surface engineering. With a focus on innovation and performance, REM’s proprietary technologies, including the ISF® Process and Selective Chemical Declogging, are used worldwide to improve the life and efficiency of critical components across the aerospace, medical, automotive, and additive manufacturing industries.
Media Contact:
Christina Michaud
Marketing Manager
cmichaud@remchem.com
remchem.com