EOS additive manufacturing technology supports innovative jewellery partnership

Both companies will introduce and further develop precious metal-based rapid manufacturing applications for the jewellery and watch industry. The products and services offered will range from the production of precious metal parts, through consulting for a direct metal laser-sintering (DMLS)-driven design and e-manufacturing process, to the development and production of special precious metal alloys and the installation of a bespoke solution chain for high volume jewellery production. Both EOS and CPM envisage customised e-manufacturing solutions that will change the economics of making jewellery and watches in precious metal. The technology lowers the general costs of entry into the business. As such, e-manufacturing with DMLS enables designers to produce pieces that are not limited by the boundaries of conventional production techniques. Initially, CPM will offer additive manufacturing (AM) capability, enabling production of designs from 18 ct yellow gold (3N colour). CPM is the UK's largest one-stop shop for the jewellery maker, with over 12,000 products, including a large stock of silver, gold, palladium and platinum bullion cut to customer requirements (sheet, wire, tube, solder, grain, settings), as well as ranges of findings, loose and finished chain, gemstones, ring blanks, jewellery making tools, silver clay and beading materials. Dr Adrian Keppler, executive vice president strategy and business development at EOS said:, "With CPM, we have found a perfect partner to introduce our innovative and paradigm-shifting technology to the luxury goods industry. "We truly believe that our AM process offers huge potential for these industries and a freedom of design that they have long been searching for. "The most demanding jewellery brands can now create entirely new products and geometries that meet their high quality requirements. The technology challenges designers' imagination and pushes it to the next level. These designs could not be achieved by a goldsmith's handicraft or conventional manufacturing methods." Stella Layton, global vice president at Cookson Precious Metals commented: "With EOS, we join forces with the market and quality leader in AM. "Using the company's technology, 3D bespoke jewellery and watch components can be created from CAD files. This takes us on an exciting journey, permitting the creation of highly complex and intricate designs that weren't thinkable before. "The particular beauty of this technology is that it can be used for one-off pieces, as well as large-scale production, eliminating many process steps and tooling costs we see today."