Propulsion systems manufacturer Beehive Industries is purchasing 30 EOS M4 ONYX systems in a $50m investment in metal additive manufacturing technology.
The fleet of machines will support the production of the company's flagship Frenzy 8 engine line and is set to come online over the next 12 months at Beehive's Knoxville, Tennessee, and Centennial, Colorado, facilities. It will more than double the company's metal additive manufacturing capacity, taking its total number of EOS machines up to 50.
Beehive's investment in the 30 EOS M4 ONYX units follows the successful high-altitude testing of the Frenzy 8 engine, a flight readiness validation, and a recent $29.7 million US Air Force contract that will see the company support vehicle integration, flight testing, and qualification of the propulsion platform.
The engines that Beehive develops are specifically designed for swarm-class drones and other next-generation uncrewed aerial systems. EOS' M4 ONYX has been deemed by the company as a solution that can deliver the required throughput, process stability, automation, and part quality.
“Beehive is experiencing unprecedented demand for our Frenzy 8 engines driven by major defence programs and the urgent need for affordable, high-rate production of uncrewed systems,” said Darius Ehteshami, COO and CFO of Beehive Industries. “Our expanded collaboration with EOS and this substantial investment in best-in-class 3D printers will significantly increase our production capacity while reinforcing our commitment to delivering scalable, American-made propulsion solutions that strengthen warfighter capabilities.”
Sam Davies
EOS introduced the M4 ONYX system last year, implementing a six-laser architecture, expanded build volume, and advanced process monitoring capabilities to better serve industrial customers in serial production. In addition to the M4 ONYX, Beehive will also leverage EOS’ software to support real-time process monitoring, production data tracking, and quality management, helping improve repeatability and traceability across AM operations.
"Choosing to expand our fleet with these 30 EOS M4 ONYX systems was a strategic decision driven by EOS’s willingness to truly partner with us. Throughout this process, the EOS team leaned in, worked creatively, and demonstrated a deep commitment to our long-term growth,” added Jonaaron Jones, Beehive’s President of Additive Parts Sales. “We value this kind of collaborative, forward-thinking partnership, and it sets a high bar for our equipment suppliers as we continue to scale and meet our production goals.”
Left: The Beehive Industries team at EOS HQ. Right: The EOS M4 ONYX.
Beehive is said to be operating one of the US' largest metal AM operations for high-performance aerospace and defence components, with the company developing the Rampart turbofan platform for next-generation 1,000+ lbf. applications. With the installation of 30 new EOS metal AM machines, the company says it is reinforcing its long-term commitment to AM technology and delivering a scalable American propulsion manufacturing capability.
"Beehive Industries' unprecedented investment demonstrates how additive manufacturing has become a foundational production technology for the next generation of advanced propulsion systems," said Marie Niehaus-Langer, CEO of EOS. "The success of the Frenzy engine program highlights what is possible when innovative design and industrialised additive manufacturing come together. We are proud to support Beehive as they expand production capacity and accelerate the delivery of high-performance technologies to customers around the world."
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