Euromold 2006 will see the launch of a new generation of plastic laser sintering machine from EOS. Based on the EOSINT P 700, the only twin-laser system on the market and also the largest, with a build envelope diagonal of more than one metre, the new model will be about 25 to 35 per cent more productive, depending on component geometry. The official product name will be announced at the event.
Direct metal laser sintering for rapid prototyping and manufacture of metal components in small, medium and even large volumes, as well as for producing plastic injection and diecasting moulds, will be another focus of the company's stand. Latest machine is the EOSINT M 270, which uses a 200 watt fibre laser capable of being finely focussed to 100 microns diameter, allowing very fine detail resolution on the surface of the part. However, if any particular area does not require such close definition, the focus can be varied to achieve an optimum balance between required detail accuracy and sintering speed.
Featured also will be new metal powders including cobalt-chrome alloys, Inconel alloys and commercially pure titanium. Titanium alloys such as Ti-318 (Ti-Al6-V4), which is widely used to make orthopaedic implants, are also being developed for laser-sintering.