What is Additive Manufacturing? Manufacture Directly Instead of Using Tools, Wax Patterns, Etc.
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. Whether used for building visual and functional prototypes or small and medium series - and increasingly for series production. This method offers convincing advantages conventional methods cannot achieve. Product development and market entry can be significantly accelerated, agile product customization and functional integration can be achieved more quickly and at a lower cost. In this way, additive manufacturing gives large OEM manufacturers from a wide variety of industries the opportunity to differentiate themselves on the market in terms of customer benefits, cost reduction potential and sustainability targets.
How Does an Industrial 3D printer work? The 3D Printing Process in Detail
First, a thin layer of the powder material is added to a building platform. There, a powerful laser beam melts the powder precisely at certain points specified by the computer-generated design data. Next, the construction platform is lowered and another layer of powder is added. The material is melted once again, which connects it to the layer below at the specified points.
The additive technique was invented more than 30 years ago. EOS has continuously developed and perfected the process and materials since the company's founding.
Advantages of Additive Manufacturing Why Use it as a Production Technology?
Production on Demand
Experience Innovation
Lightweight Components
Functional Integration
Cost Efficiency When Is Industrial Additive Manufacturing Worthwhile?
Like any manufacturing technology, additive manufacturing needs certain framework conditions to achieve the best cost-benefit ratio. For example, whereas the high tool costs of injection molding only pay off for large production runs, industrial 3D printing makes economic sense in other areas:
While industrial 3D printing isn't always an alternative to conventional manufacturing technologies in some cases, it shines where standard processes such as injection molding, die casting and milling reach their limits.
Examples From Practice Applications from Different Industries
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 challenging 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.
Our customer references present a series of innovative applications that were realized using our industrial 3D printers.
We have been using EOS technology for more than eight years and have always had positive experiences. When used correctly, the design freedom provides significant benefits that give our customers market advantages that are nearly unrivaled.
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