BeAM and Empa to focus on high precision Directed Energy Deposition technologies

News
October 22, 2018

October 22, 2018

BeAM and Empa to focus on high precision Directed Energy Deposition technologies

DED technology can be used to manufacture near net shape components more quickly than is possible using PBF Additive Manufacturing (Courtesy BeAM)

 

BeAM, Strasbourg, France, has signed a research and development agreement with Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology. The research partnership will focus on powder-based Directed Energy Deposition (DED) technologies for metal Additive Manufacturing, and aims at jointly developing the technology for high-precision DED machines.

The agreement comes after Empa’s acquisition of a BeAM DED machine earlier this year, to be used in the integration and testing of new components. The machine is located at the Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing in Thun, Switzerland, where it is in use by Patrick Hoffmann and his research team specialising in laser processing, Powder Metallurgy and process monitoring.

DED enables components to be manufactured more quickly than is possible using traditional Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) methods of Additive Manufacturing, and also has unique potential in that it allows different metal powders to be fed simultaneously into the build process and fused to form functionally graded materials. It also makes possible the production of ‘sandwich structures’, where the core of a part is produced in a different material to the outer layer.

“We are very excited to collaborate with BeAM’s engineers to push the boundaries of this innovative Additive Manufacturing technology and to develop a whole new range of applications for Swiss industries and beyond,” stated Hoffman. Vincent Gillet, BeAM CEO, added, “We are very proud that Empa joins our network of partners to help us enhance our lead in DED technology.”

www.beam-machines.com

www.empa.ch

News
October 22, 2018

In the latest issue of Metal AM magazine

Download PDF
 

Extensive AM industry news coverage, as well as the following exclusive deep-dive articles:

  • Metal AM in the aerospace sector: from early successes to the transformation of an industry
  • Slowly but surely: Industrialising metal Additive Manufacturing the Norwegian way
  • Hot Isostatic Pressing and AM: How to improve product quality and productivity for critical applications
  • The convergence of Additive Manufacturing and Artificial Intelligence: Envisioning a future that is closer than you think
  • ADAXIS: On a mission to reduce the layers of complexity in robotic Additive Manufacturing
  • Exploiting your metal Additive Manufacturing data assets: Faster industrialisation and new revenue streams

The world of metal AM to your inbox

Don't miss any new issue of Metal AM magazine, and get the latest industry news. Sign up to our twice weekly newsletter.

Sign up

Discover our magazine archive…

The free to access Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of metal Additive Manufacturing from a commercial and technological perspective through:

  • Reports on visits to leading metal AM part manufacturers and industry suppliers
  • Articles on technology and application trends
  • Information on materials developments
  • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
  • International industry news

All past issues are available to download as free PDFs or view in your browser.

Browse the archive

Looking for AM machines, metal powders or part manufacturing services?

Discover suppliers of these and more in our comprehensive advertisers’ index and buyer’s guide, available in the back of Metal AM magazine.

  • AM machines
  • Process monitoring & calibration
  • Heat treatment & sintering
  • HIP systems & services
  • Pre- & post-processing technology
  • Powders, powder production and analysis
  • Part manufacturers
  • Consulting, training & market data
View online
Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap