New System for 3D Printing of Plastic Components
German additive manufacturing system manufacturer, EOS, has introduced a new system for 3D printing components by laser-sintering plastic powder, layer by layer. Availability in the UK is through the company's subsidiary in Warwick.
Called FORMIGA P 110, the machine supersedes the P 100 model and introduces some major innovations and improvements to enhance process stability and reproducibility. They include newly designed, four-channel heating and the use of a single-point pyrometer. An external nitrogen connection is provided to reduce installation costs in factories that have a central nitrogen supply.
With a build envelope of 200 mm x 250 mm x 330 mm and a 30 watt CO2 laser, the machine manufactures products made of polyamide or polystyrene directly from CAD data, all within a few hours. EOSPACE software allows parts to be nested within the build chamber to make optimal use of the available space, leading to short production times and low costs.
It takes less than two days to install and calibrate the machine, which is particularly suitable for producing small batches of components and customised products with complex geometries. It is ideal for making components used in the medical device industry, for example, as well as high value consumer goods.
Since data preparation takes place conveniently at the integral workstation, the system is suitable for decentralised production areas. In-built EOS parameters enable both economic efficiency and high surface quality of the components produced. Low energy consumption also helps to keep down the cost of operation.
Ergonomic peripheral equipment and a high degree of automation make the FORMIGA P 110 easy to handle, enabling optimal use of machine capacity and materials and allowing best possible integration of the system into industrial production environments. The latter is supported by the newly developed Integrated Process Chain Management (IPCM+) solution from EOS.
Peter Klink, Executive Vice President - Sales at EOS, said, "FORMIGA has become the hallmark of quality in additive manufacturing of plastic components. The ongoing development of the P 100 product line, with its comparatively low investment cost, will help us to extend our lead further in the compact systems class."
Commented Hannes Kuhn, Managing Director of Kuhn-Stoff GmbH, a pilot customer for the FORMIGA P 110, "The additional parameter sets 'Balance 1.0' (120 µm layer thickness) and 'Top Quality 1.0' (60 µm layer thickness) allow even more detailed and flexible production. The increased build rate rounds off the advantages compared with the FORMIGA P 100."
About EOS
Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Germany, EOS is the technology and market leader for design-driven, integrated e-Manufacturing solutions for industrial applications. EOS offers a modular solution portfolio including systems, software and materials as well as services such as maintenance, training, specific application consulting and support. The company's additive manufacturing processes allow fast, flexible production of high-end parts at a repeatable level of quality. The technology paves the way for a paradigm shift in product design and manufacturing. It accelerates product development, offers freedom of design, optimises part structures - also enabling lattice structures -and creates significant competitive advantages. For more information, please visit www.eos.info
EOS Electro Optical Systems Ltd,
The Innovation Centre, Warwick Technology Park,
Gallows Hill, Warwick, CV34 6UW.
Tel: 01926 623107.
Fax: 01926 623108.
E-mail: stuart.jackson@eos.info
Web site: www.eos.info
Contact: Stuart Jackson, Regional Manager, UK & Eire.
THE RIGHT IMAGE Ltd
PO Box 42, Twickenham, TW1 1BQ
Tel: 020 8891 0603
Contact: Chris Wright
E-mail: chris@therightimage.net
Web site: www.therightimage.net
