Concept Laser
Building on its successes of 2011, ES Technology has completed its demonstration facility to show Additive Manufacturing in 2012, using the new Concept Laser Mlab cusing machine.
ES has exclusively distributed Concept Lasers LaserCUSING systems for four years and is now able to show how easy it is to build metal parts directly from 3D CAD designs. Compact in size at only 710 mm wide x 1,000 mm deep and 1,850 mm high, the system requires just a single phase 240 volt electricity supply.
Parts can reportedly be built in just hours from stainless steel, cobalt chrome or precious metals such as yellow gold and silver and the system is designed to operate unattended overnight. Additional materials, currently under development for the system, include bronze and titanium. Mlab cusing also has a number of features that aim to enhance flexibility, including an easy to use pull-out drawer system. This enables quick removal of the construction chamber, dosing chamber and the powder container for the purpose of storing unused material.
"The Mlab cusing represents a breakthrough in metal direct manufacturing in terms of convenience and affordability," said Colin Cater, ES's Product Manager for Concept Lasers systems in the UK. The Mlab cusing is aimed at markets which require smaller (less than 90 mm x 90 mm x 80 mm) metal parts. For larger components, Concept Laser use the established M1, M2 and M3 systems which can build parts up to 300 mm x 350 mm.
"Initial markets include dental and jewellery manufacture but we've had plenty of interest so far from Automotive, Aerospace, Medical Device and Tool & Mould manufacturers," Cater added.
Companies are invited to contact ES Technology to arrange to visit the ES facility in Daventry to see the Mlab cusing machine in action and discuss potential applications.
