EOS Debuts M 280 Laser Sintering System in North America at RAPID 2011

By DE Editors

The first North American public unveiling of the new EOSINT M 280, a direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) system, will be at Booth #202 at the RAPID 2011 show, which takes place May 24-26 in Minneapolis. The company says process and control features of the M 280 complete the evolution of DMLS systems into full-fledged production tools for the economical, batch-size, optimized manufacture of parts at all stages from prototyping through finished product.

“Our newest system reflects a growing demand, led by precision-driven industries such as aerospace and medical manufacturing, for laser-sintering as a proven production method,” says Andy Snow, regional sales director at EOS of North America. “The M 280 can build fully functional parts in a wide range of materials, with standardization and quality assurance capabilities on a par with those of traditional processes.”

The new DMLS equipment expands on the capabilities of the EOSINT M 270. Features of the M 280 include:

• Eithera 200- or a 400-watt solid-state laser
• LaserPower Monitoring (LPM) to control the build process
• Theability to use either nitrogen or argon protective atmospheres. Thisallows the machine to manufacture in light metals, tooling steel, andsuper alloys that include titanium, aluminum, cobalt chrome, and Inconel.

Available options for controlled manufacturing, such as Part Property Profiles for standardized production and Integrated Process Chain Management modules, can be added to the M 280 at any time.

In addition to introducing a DMLS system that is focused on the needs of manufacturers, EOS is also exhibiting recently developed metal and plastic materials for specialized industrial uses, including EOS NickelAlloy IN625, PrimePart FR (PA 2241 FR), PrimePart ST (PEBA).

EOS is also highlighting two companies that apply emerging technologies to enhance laser-sintering applications: WITHIN Technologies Ltd., whose FEA/CAD optimization software works with plastic and DMLS systems to create strong, lightweight parts, including load-bearing lattice structures; and BESTinCLASS, a Swiss company known for its high-precision micromachining.

An EOS FORMIGA P 100 for plastics laser-sintering will be in operation at the company’s booth as well.

EOS will hold its EOS of North America User Day (EOS NAUD) on May 23, 2011, the day before the RAPID exposition begins and in the same location as the show.

For more information, visit EOS.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.