The new EOS M 100 metal AM system (pictured) is said to be ideal for companies considering their first use of AM. A 200 W fibre laser beam having a small spot size offers excellent detail resolution that enables highly complex and delicate parts to be manufactured.
Build volume is based on a 100 mm diameter platform. It is capable of economical production of small quantities, thanks in part to its efficient recoating and exposure strategy, which reduces non-productive time. For example, it can produce approximately 70 dental crowns and bridges in a single, three-hour build.
Currently, two types of material may be processed, EOS CobaltChrome SP2 (CE-certified, CE 0537) and EOS StainlessSteel 316L, while EOS Titanium Ti64 will be available shortly.
Real-time, automatic process monitoring during AM of metal parts is an add-on to the EOS M 290 direct metal laser sintering system (DMLS). Called EOSTATE MeltPool Monitoring, this is an innovative, powerful tool that paves the way for complete parts traceability, as well as automated surveillance and analysis of the melt pool during the build process for every spot on every layer on every part (see also www.machinery.co.uk/107573). The technology targets R&D and manufacturing customers with demanding quality requirements.
EOSTATE MeltPool Monitoring allows quality assurance to be moved from post- to in-process, not only supporting better risk management, but also reducing cost per part, as well as the time and costs associated with quality assurance. The system observes the light emitted by the melt pool.
For data analysis there’s the EOSTATE MeltPool Toolbox. From the collected data, conclusions on the resulting quality of the final part can be drawn, according to customer-defined parameters.
In addition, EOS will introduce a new metal powder, EOS StainlessSteel CX, for mould and tool manufacture. The material is an extremely corrosion-resistant stainless steel with maximum stability and excellent hardness. It is ideally suited to the manufacture of injection mould tools that are used to make medical products or products made of corrosive plastics.
