Plastic laser-sintering system for manufacture of series, spare parts and prototypes

EOS company have introduced new Formiga P 100, that represents laser-sintering in the compact class. With a build envelope of 200 mm x 250 mm x 330 mm, the Formiga P 100 produces plastic products from polyamide or polystyrene within a few hours and directly from CAD data.

The machine is ideally suited for the economic production of small series and individualised products with complex geometry - requirements which apply among others to the medical device industry as well as for high-value consumer goods. At the same time, it provides capacity for the quick and flexible production of fully functional prototypes and patterns for plaster, investment and vacuum casting. With turnover times of less than 24 hours the Formiga P 100 integrates itself perfectly in a production environment that requires the highest level of flexibility. The system distinguishes itself also by comparatively low investment costs.

The machine offers its users several technical innovations. It has been designed to produce vertical walls with maximum surface quality. The extremely fine focus diameter enables wall thicknesses of as little as 0.4 mm to be built. Thus, the system is ideally suited for small, filigree components such as connectors, just to name one example. The revolutionary dosage and recoating system ensures a high product quality and process stability. Through several new features, the machine is extremely user-friendly and requires only a minimum of accessories. As a result, energy consumption is comparatively low leading to reduced operation expenses.

The Formiga P 100 is the first door passing laser-sintering system. As a result, there are little requirements to the set-up conditions. The installation and adjustment of the system has also been simplified and is now carried out within one working day. Data preparation is carried out easily at the user`s workplace ? once again lending itself to de-centralised production.

Due to its ergonomic peripheral devices and the high degree of automation, the Formiga P 100 offers user-friendly handling, the optimum level of productivity as well as excellent integration into an industrial environment. The unpacking and sieving station and the integrated powder recycling form part of the Integrated Process Chain Management (IPCM). Additional productivity is gained by the use of EOSPACE. This software guarantees an optimum utilization of the build envelope and minimizes the build height. As a consequence, turn-around time and costs decrease. The Formiga P 100 offers the flexible, cost-efficient and highly productive entry into the world of laser-sintering.

Laser-sintering is the key technology for e-Manufacturing, the fast, flexible and cost-effective production of products, patterns or tools. The technology manufactures parts for every phase of the product life cycle, directly from electronic data. Laser-sintering accelerates product development and optimizes production processes.

EOS was founded in 1989 and is today the world leading manufacturer of laser-sintering systems.