Krailling/Munich, Germany, and Novi, MI, — EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems announced that Galloway Plastics Inc. (GPI) is using an EOSINT M 270 direct metal laser-sintering (DMLS) system as part of a larger business strategy to support the expansion of GPI Prototype and GPI Anatomicals. This is the first installation of an M 270 in the Chicago area.
For GPI Prototype, a complete service bureau, the equipment will broaden their in-house offerings. GPI Anatomicals, the largest manufacturer of anatomical/medical device models, will use it to further expand their core orthopaedic device capabilities.
DMLS on the EOSINT M 270 is an additive manufacturing process. It starts with a CAD file that defines each layer of a cross-sectioned model. 20 to 40 µm thin layers of metal powder are deposited onto a build platform and laser-sintered by a focused laser beam. The platform is then lowered and the process repeated layer-by-layer until a three-dimensional metal part is produced. DMLS can “grow” parts—even those with extremely complex geometries—in just a few hours.
The M 270’s abilities for mass customization and building of intricate shapes make it an ideal technology for the orthopaedic, device implant, and aerospace markets. GPI will be using DMLS in these fields as well as creating device tooling, tooling inserts for molds, andshort-run or custom-metal parts for field use.
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