Munich-based 3D printer manufacturer EOS has announced the launch of the EOS M 290 1kW 3D printer with laser powder bed fusion (LPBF).
This new offering is an improved version of the EOS M 290, launched back in 2014. It includes a single 1kW laser and is designed for series production of copper and copper alloy parts.
EOS partner company AMCM has developed the M 290 1kW as part of its customer-specific additive manufacturing portfolio. The new 3D printer is aimed at applications in the space, energy and transportation sectors and is reportedly already seeing strong market demand.
“Our award-winning EOS M 290 is one of the most widely used metal AM machines in the world, and now the family is growing. “Interestingly, the EOS M 290 1kW was developed by EOS’s AMCM group as part of their bespoke AM portfolio,” explains Monica Smith, metal product line manager at EOS.
“The call to further commercialize this platform has been exceptionally strong based on market demand, so we are now integrating it into EOS’s broader portfolio.”
The EOS M 290 1kW is now available with the company’s specially qualified Copper-CuCp and CopperAlloy-CuCrZr materials. Additional materials will be added to the compatibility portfolio later this year.
The new EOS M 290 1kW 3D printer. Image via EOS
The new EOS M 290 1kW
In addition to its Yb fiber 1 kW laser, the EOS M 290 1 kW has a build volume of 250 x 250 x 325 mm (9.85 x 9.85 x 9.85 inches). The new 3D printer also features a volume rate of up to 55.4 cm³/h, scanning speeds of up to 7.0 m/s and a focus diameter of ~ 90 μm.
Designed for industrial scale applications, the improved M 290 features a 7 bar compressed air supply and measures 2500 x 1300 x 2190 mm. Therefore, EOS recommends a minimum installation space of 4800 x 3600 x 2900 mm.
The EOS M 290 1kW is aimed at the development and production of complex and powerful copper parts such as heat exchangers and inductors. Germany-based industrial parts and tools manufacturer GBZ Mannheim GmbH & Co.KG has already used the new 3D printer to optimize its production process.
According to Thomas Corell, managing director of GBZ Mannheim, the 1 kW laser has enabled the company to design and manufacture copper inductor parts as a single piece without soldering points. This has reportedly enabled 3D printing of more powerful, durable and reproducible components.
“The core elements of inductor applications are now integrated into a single structure, and the result is much higher optimization of cooling channels, lower power consumption over the product life cycle and we see excellent repeatability on the production side,” he explained to Corell.
GBZ Mannheim GmbH & Co.KG samples copper heating inductor components manufactured with the new EOS M 290 1kW. Photo via EOS.
New metal 3D printers are coming onto the market
This is not the first time EOS has modernized an existing metal 3D printer to increase production capacity. At Formnext 2023, the company introduced the M 300-4 1kW, an updated version of the M 300-4 that features four 1kW lasers for 3D printing aluminum and copper parts.
Speaking to 3D Printing Industry, Sebastian Becker, head of metal systems at EOS, explained that the M 300-4 1kW offers high productivity and a competitive cost per part of just 50 cents per cubic meter. “The M 300-4 1 kW can 3D print an entire job in 30 to 35 hours. This gives us the opportunity to reduce the cost per part, including operating costs, machine depreciation and consumables such as gas,” explains Becker.
At Formnext 2023, global engineering firm Renishaw also unveiled its new RenAM 500 Ultra. This LPBF 3D printer offers high productivity thanks to the integration of TEMPUS technology and the company’s process monitoring software.
TEMPUS optimizes metal additive manufacturing by allowing the laser to fire as the coater moves, minimizing laser downtime and saving up to nine seconds per shift. These time savings can ultimately reduce build times across the entire 3D printing cycle by up to 50%, resulting in significant time savings in the process.
Elsewhere, Chinese 3D printer maker Bright Laser Technologies (BLT) launched the BLT-S800, a large-format LPBF 3D printer with a build volume of 800 x 800 x 600mm and 20 fiber lasers. The company claims that this 20-laser configuration increases production capacity and enables rapid production of metal parts.
What does the future of 3D printing look like?
What near-term 3D printing trends have been highlighted by industry experts?
Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news. You can also follow us on Twitter, like our Facebook page and subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry YouTube channel to access more exclusive content.
Are you interested in working in the additive manufacturing industry? Visit 3D Printing Jobs to view a selection of available positions and boost your career.
The picture shown shows the 3D printer EOS M 290 with 1 kW. Image via EOS.
