Responsible manufacturing contributes to less material consumption, less over-production and less waste

Challenges facing the climate and the need for greater sustainability are undeniable. Environmental and social concerns can no longer be mere platitudes expressed and ignored by businesses should they wish to survive and thrive in today’s climate. Action is now expected and demanded in equal measure to reckon with key areas of concern.

For EOS this means putting its long-standing and pioneering technology expertise at the service of leading the world into responsible manufacturing and supporting EOS customers in achieving their own sustainability targets.

3D printed products inherently provide added value when it comes to responsible manufacturing: lightweight designs help to reduce carbon emissions and functional integration and product designs solving complex manufacturing challenges while minimizing waste.

Metal-based additive manufacturing encompasses a wide range of technologies such as powder bed fusion (PBF), metal binder jetting and laser cladding. DMLS®, as used by EOS metal 3D printers, follows the principle of - in German - "Direkt Metall Laser Schmelzen" (DMLS, Englisch translation Direct Metal Laser Melting). It is the proven PBF technology of choice for EOS for almost three decades, and is now the standard in metal 3D printing. The DMLS method is primarily used for manufacturing in demanding industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical, tool and turbomachinery. These industries require uniform part quality with properties like those achieved by conventional casting or forging processes.

We are the leading global provider for industrial metal 3D printing. Thanks to our DMLS technology and our broad portfolio, we empower our customers to achieve reliable and repeatable part quality.

The EOS Metal Additive ManufacturingMachines and Materials for Your Metal 3D Printing Needs

EOS metal 3D printers are available in various formats, from entry-level models to multi-laser machines for additive series production at industrial scales. We also offer validated processes unique in industrial metal 3D printing, as well as the most comprehensive portfolio of metal materials, including aluminum, cobalt chrome, nickel alloys, titanium, refractive metals, stainless steel and tool steels.

With our 30 years of experience in 3D printing for industrial applications, we have perfected the method of powder bed additive manufacturing with plastics at EOS. We have mastered the interactions between 3D printing system, material and process for part production at industrial scales. Our technology lays the foundation for manufacturing results that meet a wide range of industrial requirements in terms of dimensional accuracy, surface quality, and stability.

With our extensive product portfolio for industrial 3D printer, you can benefit from integrated production solutions. Whether as a standalone or a supplement to your existing manufacturing environment, EOS' efficient and integrable solutions can be adapted to your individual production requirements.

Why Use EOS Technologyfor Plastic 3D Printing?

With EOS’s established plastic manufacturing technology, you can produce your parts without binding agents. The melting process only requires material and energy. Compared to other 3D printing processes in the plastics sector, EOS technology can reduce your unit costs by up to 25% and enable you to manufacture the parts you want with 100% reproducibility.

We’d be happy to help you choose the right 3D printing solution for you.

Featuring four, one kilowatt lasers to deliver the power, performance and reliability needed to maximize production of aluminum and copper applications

EOS, leading supplier of responsible manufacturing solutions, is launching the newest member of the EOS M 300 family, the EOS M 300-4 1kW. This new metal additive manufacturing (AM) system boasts four powerful, one kilowatt lasers to meet the demanding production requirements of aluminum and copper 3D printed applications, such as aluminum brackets, holders, antennas, heat exchangers; and copper or copper alloy heat exchangers, inductors, e-mobility components, and more.

“The EOS M 300-4 has already proven to be a highly productive AM machine for our customers, but we need to meet the growing market demand of challenging materials like Copper and high productivity processes,” said Sebatian Becker, EOS Metal Systems Lead. “The EOS M 300-4 1kW delivers the power and productivity at the highest level of reliability, needed to achieve the lowest cost-per-part in the industry.”

The EOS M 300-4 1kW features:

• A build volume of 300x300x400mm (11.8x11.8x 15.8in)
• Four (4) one kilowatt lasers
• Reliable 2-axis scanning units for maximized build efficiency
• The best cost per volume (example: AlSi10Mg)
  • ​Layer thickness: 80 µm​
  • Build rate: 4 x 38.5 mm³/s = 154 mm³/s (555 cm³/h)​
  • Minimum relative density: 99.5 %, tensile strength: 350 MPa, yield strength: 205 MPa, elongation at break:3-5 %

At launch, the EOS M 300-4 1kW is ideal for applications in aviation, energy, government and defense, and mobility/transportation industries that leverage AlSi10Mg, CuCP and CuCrZr. Beginning in 2024, the system material portfolio expands and will also include Nickel base alloys, Titanium, Cobalt Chrome, Steels and StainlessSteels, and the new high-strength and anodizable Aluminum Alloy Al5X1 – the latter material also being launched at Formnext 2023.

kNOw SUPPORTS

Support-free metal 3D printing is the stuff of legends. Learn what’s already true and see the latest innovations. Come and talk to our Additive Minds team and learn how your parts can be printed support-free.

When 3D printing with metals, parts are subject to stresses during production and therefore typically require support structures to prevent degradation during the build. These supports are created directly within the design data and manufactured additively in conjunction with the 3D printed object. This step of the 3D print is required to protect the metal parts against thermal stress induced deformation during the build and to effectively conduct away the heat from the molten pool in overhang areas. Once the part is finished, the support structure is removed either manually or automatically.

To 3D print parts without any supports, or at least minimize the number of supports used, improves post-processing but can also reduce the print time, if applied effectively, and cut down on material consumption, saving on costs and reducing the environmental impact of builds.

Our experts at Additive Minds have tackled the question of how such a printing process might work and what challenges it would entail.