Additive manufacturing is a specific 3D printing process. This process builds parts layer by layer by depositing material according to digital 3D design data. The term “3D printing” is increasingly used as a synonym for additive manufacturing. However, “additive manufacturing” better reflects the professional manufacturing process that differs significantly from conventional, subtractive manufacturing methods. For example, instead of milling a workpiece from a solid block, additive manufacturing builds the part up layer by layer from material supplied as a fine powder. Various metals, plastics and composite materials can be used.
Additive manufacturing is relevant in many areas and for numerous industries for building visual and functional prototypes and increasingly for series production. This method offers convincing advantages that conventional methods cannot achieve. Additive manufacturing accelerates product development and market entry significantly. It also helps in achieving product customization and functional integration more quickly and at a lower cost. In this way, additive manufacturing gives organizations the opportunity to differentiate themselves across multiple industries in the market in terms of customer benefits, cost reduction potential and sustainability targets.
Additive manufacturing was initially used for rapid prototyping, namely to make visual and functional prototypes. It can significantly speed up product development and market entry. Since then, additive manufacturing has increasingly found its way into series production.
It opens new opportunities in sectors such as the healthcare, automotive & mobility and aerospace industries, as well as mass markets like lifestyle & consumer goods and production & industry. The focus is always to take advantage of industrial 3D printing to differentiate oneself from the competition and lay sustainable foundations for the future.
Additive manufacturing typically finds its applications in the following areas: die casting, injection molding, proto tooling, prototype development, end of life spare parts, jigs & fixtures, powertrain, space, tyre mold and tyre sipes, bath fittings, insoles/ shoe soles, eyewear, helmets, power connectors, nozzles, conformal cooling inserts, dental implants, hip & knee implants, prosthesis/ orthosis, medical devices and many more.
Intelligent End-To-End Solutions for Your Additive Manufacturing
From building prototypes to series production, we offer highly productive 3D printing platforms for the additive manufacturing of parts from plastics and metals.
EOS has more than 30 years of experience in process development, giving us the perfect combination of laser and powder material for additive manufacturing, absolutely unique in the world of additive manufacturing.
EDST in partnership with EOS offers comprehensive 3D manufacturing solutions for the entire industrial value chain, including Industry 4.0. To achieve this, we fully integrate industrial 3D printing into production with more flexible and more efficient production processes.
The metal-based additive manufacturing technology of DMLS® is the technology of choice for EOS metal additive manufacturing machines for almost three decades, and is now the standard in metal 3D printing. Metal parts produced with DMLS technology achieve uniform part quality with properties like those produced by conventional casting or forging processes
EOS offers industrial 3D printing systems that can be flexibly integrated into existing production environments with a range of different build space sizes, laser power ratings and scalability.
DMLS Materials for Metal 3D Printers
EOS Aluminum
Aluminum alloys are ideal for many applications in the aero- space and automotive industries. The chemical and mechanical properties of our alloys meet various international material standards.
Products: AlSi10Mg, Al2139 AM, AlF357
EOS Stainless Steel
Stainless steel alloys are used in many industries, including aerospace, medicine, energy, jewelry, shipbuilding, and the food sector. The chemical and mechanical properties of our alloys meet various international material standards.
Products: 17-4PH, 316 L, 316L VPro, PH1
EOS Nickel Alloy
Nickel alloys can be used in a variety of applications: aircraft and gas turbines, shipbuilding. The chemical and mechanical properties meet various international material standards.
Products: HX, IN625, IN718
EOS Titanium
Various high-performance applications in the aerospace, automotive, and medical industries use titanium for its properties. The chemical and mechanical properties of our alloys meet various international material standards.
The properties of martensically hardened steel make it ideal for toolmaking in various industries. Parts from this material are characterized by excellent mechanical properties and can easily be thermally hardened for maximum solidity and strength. The chemical and mechanical properties meet various international material standards.
Products: MS1, 1.2709, CX
EOS Cobalt Chrome
Cobalt chrome is often used in aerospace and medical applications. Two of these materials are certified for dental resto- ration, e.g. crowns, bridges, and removable partial dentures. The chemical and mechanical properties of our alloys meet various international material standards.
The EOS additive manufacturing (AM) systems for plastics use the selective laser sintering (SLS) technique. In this process, a laser works as the power source to sinter powdered material. The SLS printers enable the cost-efficient and high-performance production of high-quality parts from plastics.
Whether you need a compact system to get started quickly and cost-efficiently, or a modular and digitally networked 3D printing platform for series production on industrial scales, EOS offers additive plastic production systems tailored to your individual requirements.
