3ders.org at Euromold (6): EOS, Renishaw, voxeljet and ExOne

Dec.2, 2012

EuroMold gives vendors a great chance showing off their latest technology and example prints. Today we focus on EOS, Renishaw, voxeljet and ExOne.

1. EOS

This year in Frankfurt, EOS showcased the FORMIGA P 110, the successor of its entry-level system FORMIGA P 100, as well as the EOSINT M 280, the latest in metal technology.

EOS also presents two new plastic materials: PrimePart Plus (PA 2221) and PA 1101.

The material PrimePart Plus (PA 2221) can evidently be refreshed using only a thirty per cent share of new powder, resulting in a powder cycle with minimum scrap quantities. This improves the cost efficiency and sustainability of the laser-sintering process.

The PA 1101 material is a natural-colored polyamide 11 and is based on renewing resources and can thus be classified positively in environmental terms. PA1101 is particularly suitable for applications with functional elements which require high material ductility (e.g. integral hinges) and ones where high impact resistance is important.

EOS plans to release a new, small prototype metal laser-sintering system PRECIOUS M 080 mid of next year, which can process precious metal parts made of 18 carat yellow gold for the jewellery and watch industry.

EOS for the first time showcases precious metal parts made of 18 ct yellow gold which were manufactured on PRECIOUS M 080.

For the system development EOS joined forces with Cookson Precious Metals (CPM) to introduce and further develop precious metal-based applications to the jewellery and watch industry. Under this partnership, EOS is the technology provider, Cookson will cover sales for named industries. To begin with, CPM offers AM manufacturing capacities enabling a production of designs made of 18 ct yellow cold (3N colour).

2. Renishaw

Renishaw showcases AM-125 and AM-250 system. Renishaw's laser melting is an additive manufacturing technology that uses a high powered ytterbium fibre laser to fuse fine metallic powders together to form functional 3D parts. Fine metal powders are melted in a tightly controlled atmosphere and parts can be printed in layer thickness ranging from 20~100 micro.

(photo from Renishaw)

AM-250 Specifications:

Max. part building area: 250 x 250 x 300 mm (X, Y, Z), Z axis extendable to 360 mm
Build rate: 5 cm³ - 20 cm³ per hour
Scan speed: up to 2000 mm/s
Positioning speed (max.): 7000 mm/s
Layer thickness: 20 - 100 µm
Laser beam diameter: 70 µm diameter at powder surface
Laser options: 200 or 400 W
External dimensions: 1700 x 800 x 2025 mm (L, W, H)
Weight: 1225 kg gross, 1100 kg net
Available materials: Stainless steel 316L and 17-4PH, H13 tool steel, aluminium Al-Si-12, titanium CP, Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-6Al-7Nb, cobalt-chrome (ASTM75), inconel 718 and 625

3. voxeljet

voxeljet presents the world's first continuous 3D printer VXC800. The is a completely new generation of machines that allows the building and unpacking process steps to run at the same time, without having to interrupt the operations of the system.

Brief technical features:

First continuously working 3D printer
Build space: 850 mm x 500 mm
Compact design
Layer thicknesses from 150 µm to 400 µm
High-defintion voxeljet print head with a resolution of 600 dpi
Simultaneous building and unpacking without interrupting the operation
Printing process on a level tilted to the horizontal
Horizontal belt conveyor

This is the VX200, the new 3D compact printer from voxeljet, which celebrated its premiere at EuroMold 2012 too.

Brief technical features:

Build speed: 12mm/h (=0,7 l/h)
Suitable for all voxeljet particulate materials
Piezo print head system (print resolution 300 dpi)
No additional equipment necessary

One Aston Martin DB 5 model for the newest James Bond film Skyfall is also on display, unfortunately we are not allowed to take photos. The plastic model was printed in one piece at a scale of 1:3 using voxeljet's high-end VX4000 printer, which can build moulds and models in dimensions of up to eight cubic metres.

A beautiful sculpture printed on a voxeljet's VX4000 printer in one piece, from left: Beethoven, Marilyn Monroe, Einstein and Elvis Presley.

4. ExOne

ExOne brought their ExOne S-Print system to the EuroMold.

The ExOne S-Print system selectively dispenses foundry-grade resin into thin layers of specially engineered sand. This additive process creates complex sand casting cores and molds directly from CAD data, eliminating the need for a physical pattern to create a core or mold.

Features:

Industry-proven casting materials
On-demand sand supply management system
Proven printhead technology for precise dosing of binding agent
No support structures
No post processing required
Molds and cores are immediately available for casting
Complex internal details and structures capability, otherwise unattainable using traditional methods

Specifications: