Upgrading an anti-cavitation valve with additive manufacturing

Upgrading an Anti-Cavitation Valve with Additive Manufacturing

Use case developed by Meltio.

This use case presents an internal study of an anti-cavitation valve, using metal additive manufacturing with Meltio's technology. The traditional manufacturing method for a part like this typically involves multiple complex processes, such as casting and machining from solid blocks.

The results show that manufacturing with Meltio offers substantial reductions in production steps, costs, and lead times.

Preventing cavitation in harsh flow environments

An anti-cavitation valve is a critical flow-control component engineered to prevent cavitation damage in fluid-handling systems. Cavitation, caused by vapour bubble formation and collapse due to low inlet pressure, can significantly reduce system performance and lead to part failure.

This valve is typically deployed in environments with corrosive fluids, high flow velocities, and variable pressure conditions, such as water treatment plants, chemical processing facilities, and power generation systems.

Designed for additive from the inside out

Traditionally manufactured through casting, machining, welding, and post-processing, this part demands complex internal geometries to manage fluid dynamics and resist cavitation. These internal features are hard to achieve without extensive tooling and assembly.

Using Meltio's wire-laser metal 3D printing system, the component was redesigned for additive, featuring a honeycomb-shaped internal structure that enhances flow while eliminating the need for internal supports or secondary machining. The result: a more efficient design, fewer production steps, and faster delivery.

Less production time and manual labour

This application demonstrates how additive manufacturing not only enables internal features that would be impossible to machine, but also drastically reduces production time and manual labour. No welding, no assembly, and no internal post-processing were required.

• Optimised internal geometry for anti-cavitation.
• Corrosion-resistant and durable (SS316LSi).
• No internal supports or welding.
• Faster production, lower cost.

Production cost

At a glance

• System: Meltio M600
• Sector: Industrial
• Material: Stainless Steel 316LSi
• Printing time: 51h

All about efficiency

Additive manufacturing with Meltio not only reduces cost and time, it also enables the creation of smarter, more resilient parts.

By extending this methodology to other components, Meltio reinforces a shift toward intelligent, flexible, and resource-efficient manufacturing.

This case study was originally published by Meltio as Upgrading an anti-cavitation valve with additive manufacturing. Reproduced here with credit to Meltio.