EOS has announced that aviation repair and maintenance provider, Lufthansa Technik is the first company to purchase its entire EOSTATE MeltPool additive manufacturing (AM) solution.
Launched in November last year, the EOSTATE MeltPool solution is an extension of the EOS M 290 Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) system, which provides real time, automated and intelligent monitoring of the melt pool. The tool recently completed its pilot phase with Turkey-based customer TUSAS Engine Ind. Inc..
Udo Behrendt, Key Account Manager at EOS, commented: “With Lufthansa Technik, we are pleased to welcome an innovative partner from the industry, with whom we will continue to develop our technology for the demanding requirements for the repair of aviation and aerospace components.”
Simon Feicks, Project Manager Additive Manufacturing, Engine Services at Lufthansa Technik, adds: “We selected the EOS solution for several reasons. The underlying metal system EOS M 290 impresses with its process stability. The technology has already proven itself with engine manufacturers. During the decision-making process, we were particularly impressed with this particular combination of EOS core competencies. On this basis, we will be preparing for future component generations that are optimised for additive manufacturing, so that we can continue to defend our leadership position in an intensely competitive environment.”
With more than 30 subsidiaries and affiliated companies worldwide, Lufthansa Technik already uses AM and hybrid processes for the repair of engine parts. Feicks hopes the addition of EOS’s technology will form part of more cost-efficient and optimised solutions for future repair processes and with EOSTATE MeltPool, the company is introducing a key quality management component to the process, which will contribute to seamless quality control during the build process in the future.
Feicks added: “Lufthansa Technik firmly believes that additive manufacturing is a technology of the future. It is time to change our way of thinking. Milling was yesterday. Today, parts are selectively built where it is needed. Resource efficiency also plays an important role. We do not want to be limited by tools any longer. The limits of production variance are shifting, and we are looking towards a future that we still have to comprehend.”
