ARC Group expands metal Additive Manufacturing capabilities
March 12, 2014
ARC Group Worldwide, Inc., has announced that its Additive Manufacturing division, 3D Material Technologies LLC (3DMT) has purchased two EOS EOSINT M280 Direct Metal Laser Sintering industrial 3D printers for the company’s Colorado, USA, production facility. The ARC Group is one of the largest manufacturers of Metal Injection Moulding components world-wide, with operations in North America and Europe.
An EOSINT M280 from EOS
The EOS machines have a build size of 250 x 250 x 325 mm (9.85 x 9.85 x 12.8 inches) and will increase 3DMT’s capacity to manufacture complex parts out of stainless steel, maraging steel (MS1 material, tool steel), cobalt chrome, titanium, and aluminium.
“EOS laser-sintering is a leading technology for aerospace and medical components, which make the 3D printers a strategic fit for our existing business. 3DMT provides engineering, prototyping, and short run production services in order to accelerate our customer’s ability to access their respective markets as quickly and efficiently as possible,” stated Ashley Nichols, General Manager of 3DMT.
Both EOS printers feature the 400 W laser upgrade and 3DMT reports it is already successfully producing metal parts. Benefits of the higher laser power include improved surface finishes for aluminium components; higher build speeds in numerous alloys, including a 190 percent increase in the build rate for MS1 maraging steel; an increased spectrum of available uses, including larger components such as moulding tools requiring conformal cooling; and improved overall operational performance and reduced lead time.
“Currently, the aerospace and medical industries are the strongest and fastest growing verticals for EOS laser-sintering solutions with DMLS parts in flight and 510K FDA-approved implants in the human body. We are excited to add 3DMT to our list of innovative customers acting as a service provider as we join to push design-driven manufacturing into the market,” added Andy Snow, Director, EOS of North America, Inc.
The addition of the two EOSINT M 280 DMLS systems expands 3DMT’s production capabilities to sixteen industrial 3D metal and plastic printers, either in operation or on order, and further expands ARC’s ability to offer rapid prototyping and short run production to its global customer base. 3DMT remains focused on bridging the gap between design concept and production through the use of advanced technologies and engineering knowhow.
www.3DMaterialTechnologies.com
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