IMPORTANT
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Metal Additive Manufacturing
YOUR NEEDS
An essential complement to standard machining, metal additive layer manufacturing (ALM) enables production of one-piece, complex metallic parts with geometries which cannot be manufactured otherwise (control, transfer of fluids, etc.). This technology, resulting from rapid prototyping, offers a competitive alternative to standard manufacturing processes. At present, there is a wide range of materials available, which offers more freedom during the design phase.
Metal 3D printing enables:
- Validation of shapes before series production
- Validation of process
- Metallurgical tests
- Personalized production
- Choice of high performance alloys with technical implementation
METHODOLOGY
We use Direct Metal Laser Sintering, which is a revolutionary technology, to produce parts which were previously “impossible to make”, using CAD data-STL files – and without tooling.
DMLS® is an “additive” technology which functions layer by layer, by casting very fine layers of metal powder using a laser. Metallic powder beads are cast locally at the point of laser impact. As they re-solidify, they form a horizontal layer, and are cast on the lower layer. It is then possible to create internal cavities and undercuts.
A supporting structure, set on the metal platform used as a base, is required to support the parts during casting.
The depth of the layers varies between 20 and 40 microns. The resulting tolerances are highly accurate: +/- 0.05 mm.
DESIGN FOR DIRECT METAL LASER SINTERING
Direct metal laser sintering is a technology in its own right, not simply a substitute. Parts must therefore be designed taking into account all potential benefits and manufacturing specificities. Laser sintering is similar to welding; the parts are manufactured on a plate and are then detached using electro-erosion or sawing. There is subsequently a post-process phase which may be complex, and often delicate. As the technology uses welding, the possibility of inner strains which may cause warping must be anticipated. Entrust the design or re-design of your parts to our team of experts. This will give the best opportunity to ensure relevant results.
OUR RESOURCES
Materials used
- Stainless steel 15-5PH1 (EOS® PH1) Technical sheet Inox 15-5PH1
- Stainless steel 316L Technical sheet Inox 316L
- Maraging steel (EOS® MS1) Technical sheet MS1
- CobaltChrome (EOS® CC MP1) Technical sheet MP1
- Titanium Ti64 Technical sheet TI64
- Inconel 718 Technical sheet IN718 / Inconel 625 Technical sheet IN625 / Hastalloy X Technical sheet HX
- Aluminium AlSi10Mg Technical sheet AlSi10Mg
Table comparing Technologies and Materials – Metal to download
production facility
- 2 Eosint M270 machines – 250 x 250 x 215 mm
- 1 Eosint M270 Xtended machine – 250 x 250 x 325 mm
- 1 Eosint M280 Dual Mode 200 Watts machine – 250 x 250 x 325 mm
- 1 Eosint M280 Dual Mode 400 Watts machine – 250 x 250 x 325 mm
- 1 Eosint M290 Dual Mode 400 Watts machine – 250 x 250 x 325 mm
- 1 EBM Arcam Q20 – 350 x 380 mm (Ø/H)
Machining workshop for finishing:
- 1 Robofil 440 Charmilles – 550 x 350 x 400 mm
- 1 Robofil Cut E 350 Charmilles – 350 x 250 x 250 mm
- 1 CNC System SGV30 – 760 x 400 x 540 mm
- 1 Cazeneuve 360 Optimax – 390 X 700 mm
- 1 fast drilling Charmilles Drill 20 mm
- 2 CNC DMG Mori DMU 50 – 500 x 450 x 400 mm
- grinding machines, polishers, micro bead blasters, heat treatment furnace, etc.
OUR ASSETS
- Capacity to create parts with both external and internal complexity
- Ability to manufacture functional parts
- Possibility of placing a logo, or marking, directly on the part for traceability purposes
- Conformal Cooling : Temperature control to remain as close to the design as possible.
- Geometric control
- Park of 6 machines
KEY FIGURES
3,000 parts produced in 2014
AREAS OF ACTIVITY CONCERNED
- Aeronautics: Manufacture of engine parts – Extremely light and resistant parts – Manufacturing difficult using other methods -Highly diverse technical materials
- Aerospace: Re-design and manufacture of engine parts
- Medical: Cranial implant prototypes – Orthopaedic instrument prototypes – Dental application prototypes
- Motorsports
- Customer-specific parts (e.g.: safety harness)
