EOS direct metal laser-sintering supports nanotechnology centre of expertise

Materials Solutions is to open on the University of Birmingham campus to help manufacturers speed the development of environmentally friendly products, for example those with reduced energy consumption, emissions and/or weight, and those involving new power generation and storage technologies. A key capability of the new company will be rapid prototyping and manufacturing to create metal components directly from CAD models using the EOSINT M 270 direct metal laser-sintering machine, which was delivered during September 2006. The equipment will be used to develop process experience in additive manufacture of solid, functional components from high temperature alloy powders, particularly nickel- and titanium-based, primarily for aerospace and automotive applications. Prototypes, test parts and training will be offered to manufacturing companies, enabling faster design iterations and shortening time to market for new products. "As governments and consumers become more aware of the effects of the rapid rise in worldwide consumption, environmental concerns are increasingly driving all R&D-led manufacturers' product development," says Carl Brancher, CEO of Materials Solutions. "Additionally, European manufacturers need to speed their product development to compete more effectively with Asian economies.” Materials Solutions will therefore assist manufacturers by developing rapid prototyping and manufacturing processes to support the development of products with a reduced environmental footprint. The company is collaborating in this with Professor Xinhua Wu at the University of Birmingham's school of engineering and expects to be ready for business by December 2006.” Materials Solutions is supported by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Advantage West Midlands, the regional development authority, and is the applications development centre for the DTI’s Micro and Nano Technology (MNT) Network.