AIM Sweden expands Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing with Spectra L
AIM Sweden AB, a Mid Sweden University spin-off based in Frösön, has invested in a Spectra L Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-EB) Additive Manufacturing machine from Colibrium, a GE Company. According to AIM Sweden, this acquisition positions it as the first contract manufacturer in Europe to offer point melting PBF-EB and plate-free start capabilities.
The Spectra L expands the company’s PBF-EB fleet to six, which already consisted of two Q10plus and three Q20plus machines. The latest machine is scheduled to be validated for medical production using Ti6Al4V and optimised for manufacturing complex impellers in the energy sector.
Spectra L technology
Rather than using traditional line melting, the Spectra L uses a point melting strategy, which processes each layer through thousands of precisely controlled individual spots. This technology is said to offer greater design freedom and homogeneous surface quality of all part orientations, regardless of build direction.
“The Spectra L is the next big leap in PBF manufacturing, and the ability to build support-free using the point melting strategy has the potential to be a game changer for the entire industry,” said Simon Blomé, Director of Industrial Applications at AIM Sweden. “This technology opens doors to applications that were previously impossible or economically unfeasible.”
The machine’s plate-free start capability eliminates expensive consumable build plates. This capability is said to enable multiple builds per cycle with minimal operator intervention, improving operational efficiency and reducing per-part costs.
Medical and energy applications
The Spectra L’s support-free production capability addresses critical manufacturing bottlenecks in regulated industries. According to AIM Sweden, medical implants can now be manufactured with intricate internal geometries and porous structures that enhance osseointegration while reducing post-processing costs by up to 35%.
Energy sector applications, particularly impellers and turbomachinery components, benefit from the technology’s ability to shorten lead times and build bulky components more easily. The Spectra L’s 350 x 430 mm build volume and 4.5 kW beam enable production of larger, more complex components while reportedly maintaining exceptional surface quality.
“AIM Sweden has proven its expertise within Additive Manufacturing across a wide field of industries,” said Göran Elovsson, Acting CEO. “With this investment in the Spectra L, we’re laying the groundwork for future growth and providing our customers with leading-edge technology.”
