EOS, a provider in the field of industrial 3D printing of metals and polymers, is showcasing its latest portfolio of industrial additive manufacturing (AM) solutions at RAPID + TCT 2018, hosted in Fort Worth, Texas, April 23-26. EOS will be launching the new EOS P 810 polymer platform designed to process the new carbon-reinforced polymer material HT-23.
Developed in close cooperation with Boeing, this economic, high-temperature polymer aims to address industry requirements for demanding high-performance parts. As such, this technology package is particularly developed for the aerospace industry but can also be applied for other industries.
Scott Killian, aerospace business development manager, EOS North America, emphasizes: “The aerospace industry has to meet challenging requirements when it comes to UV resistance, flame retardancy and meeting Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) such as FAR 25.853, which sets standards for materials within compartment interiors. Additive Manufacturing enables the design and manufacturing of complex geometries without expensive tooling. This allows aerospace OEM’s to replace composite parts which to date are being produced manually via carbon fiber laminating. They can also replace aluminum parts with HT-23 while still meeting the material strength properties required for the application. With the EOS P 810, our customers can produce lightweight parts, reduce time for production and parts assembly, and cut overall costs-per-part.”
EOS P 810: Large Frame, Two Laser System
The system builds on the EOS P 800 and is designed for the requirements of industries such as aerospace and processes exclusively the HT-23 material. With a build volume of 700 x 380 x 380 mm and two 70-Watt lasers, the EOS P 810 system aims to enable the production of large structural parts. The company hopes to see adoption in industrial applications.
High performance PEKK material
HT-23 is a carbon fiber-reinforced PEKK material that can be processed on EOS systems, offering isotropic part properties. According to EOS, parts additively manufactured with this material offer high strength, low weight and are capable of withstanding high temperatures. It has a refresh rate of 40 percent, with the goal of contributing to reduced costs-per-part.
“Our EOS P 810 polymer 3D printing platform and the ALM HT-23 material enabled us to help Boeing reach high demands for weight reduction, cost efficiency and reduced assembly time for components,” said Killian. “Intensive testing of the final parts from the EOS P 810 shows the technology platform addresses Boeing’s needs and allows them to achieve homogenous part properties within the overall building volume, a key factor for cost efficient manufacturing of air ducts, small turbines and holders.”
Beyond aerospace, the system also may offer new design and manufacturing opportunities to the electronics and mobility industry – with applications such as plugs or housings, serial parts as well as spare parts for the interior and exterior (exterior facing) of busses and trains, for example.
The company has released the following promotional video about the system:
For more coverage of RAPID+TCT, stay tuned here on engineering.com. We’re attending the conference and will be posting video coverage in the weeks to come!