3D additive manufacturing technology provider adds DMLS to its capabilities

3D additive manufacturing technology provider rapid prototype + manufacturing (rp+m) has announced the addition of Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) with the purchase of an EOSINT M280 DMLS system from EOS GmbH. This new capability will allow rp+m to provide engineers, designers and end-user customers a comprehensive solution for 3D printing of metal prototypes and end-use parts.

"Using the latest DMLS technology, we not only can provide leading 3D printing capabilities in but also serve as a solutions provider and resource for our customers and the industry," said Matt Hlavin, CEO of rp+m. "We are excited to continue expanding the parameters of additive manufacturing by investing in the new technologies, and developing holistic 3D printing solutions, that help our customers operate more efficiently."

To further the company's ability to provide best-in-class 3D printing solutions across a growing portfolio of materials, rp+m has hired materials scientist and additive manufacturing expert Ed Herderick, as director of R&D. In his new role, Herderick will help expand rp+m's product and service offerings and identify strategic growth opportunities to enhance technical excellence in additive manufacturing.

"A machine like the EOSINT M 280 is a phenomenal tool for flexible 3D printing in metals, but the key to producing truly excellent and highly-specified parts lies in the upfront design and finishing," Herderick said. "I am delighted to be part of a team that focuses on pioneering new research and delivering comprehensive solutions that meet our customers' needs today and in the future."

Hlavin told PlasticsToday that the M280 DMLS machine from EOS is actually the company's first 3D metal printing machine. Rp+m made an announcement in September about the company's collaboration with the ExOne Company, which manufactures and sells 3D printing equipment, to bring 3D printed tungsten to the medical imaging market via the M-Flex 3D printing System. However, Hlavin said the company won't get that machine until mid-December.

"Our intention in purchasing the 3D metal printing machines is to complement our injection molding and mold making business," said Hlavin, adding that 3D metal printing capabilities will allow rp+m to do smaller volume runs for its biomedical business to help clients develop components for implants for spinal surgery, medical devices and other end use parts.

Additionally, the company wants the ability to produce cores, cavities and other mold components. "Sometimes there are limitations to how you can design a mold component to accommodate a complex molded part," Hlavin said. "With 3D metal printing capabilities we develop mold components that help us mold parts that were not possible with traditional tooling. We can now mold parts with geometry that we couldn't have made without the ability to 3D print certain features or components in the mold."

Value of 3D metal printing is expressed in rp+m's ability to create channels for conformal cooling as well. "3D printing using DMLS allows us to create designs that yield total efficiency in manufacturing with conformal cooling over a traditional tool through reduced cycle times," Hlavin said. "If I can build a cavity set that takes me from 30 second cycle to a 15-second, now I have more machine time and need to buy fewer molding machines. I also get a better surface finish on the parts.  With traditional cooling lines, there are limitations in how you process because you only get heat or cooling in certain areas. Both ends of the thermal spectrum are closer to the cavity, and change the outcome. This opens up the art of what's possible."