Clean surface of components reduces post-processing costs and shortens lead times
Part-integrating capability eliminates assembly costs
Tool-less production saves time and money
The EOS technology produces a robust and highly repeatable process. We have done a number of conversions of aircraft parts from previous processes to Additive Manufacturing. With the EOSINT P 730, we often discovered that the production cost per piece is substantially reduced compared to conventional manufacturing methods. The system complies with our specification.
Bell Helicopter and Harvest Technologies Utilize Design-Driven Manufacturing With EOS Technology
The engineering-driven company already produced prototypes for different components of their aircraft using Additive Manufacturing (AM) and now wanted to use the technology for functional parts. Harvest Technologies, one of the world's largest suppliers of AM technologies, provided the deep knowledge of the technology Bell Helicopter was looking for.
At present, the helicopter company mostly produces parts for the Environmental Control System (ECS) by using EOS technology. And AM production is expanding: Bell Helicopter is interested in employing additively manufactured components throughout the aircraft systems of their commercial helicopters. The EOSINT P 730 incorporated a software fix that provided crisper detail and smoother surfaces. As a result, there was relatively little peripheral powder melting and adhesion. Switching to the EOS system offered significant post-processing cost savings and shorter lead times for Bell Helicopter.
The EOS technology gives us a great deal of flexibility and freedom. The parts that we get have very good feature definition and the mechanical properties have been good as well. We’re especially happy with the larger platform size and the nestability we’ve been able to achieve.
