Product category:
Fast prototyping equipment, pattern-making and services
News Release from: ES Technology | Subject: LaserCUSING process - MACH 2008
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 17 March 2008
Laser fuses powders into dense, complex
parts
LaserCUSING is a process, similar to laser sintering, but which fuses metallic powder by a scanning laser to produce dense, complex and intricate 3D components.
ES Technology said it will be using the UK's MACH 2008 machine tool exhibition to launch its exclusive partnership agreement with Concept Laser ES Technology will be responsible for the marketing, sales, servicing and support of the full range of Concept Laser's additive manufacturing systems throughout the UK and Ireland
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 12 Jul 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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ES Technology said that the Concept Laser range of LaserCUSING systems will consolidate ES Technology's position as the leading supplier of industrial laser systems, components and accessories within the UK.
* About LaserCUSING - LaserCUSING uses a scanning laser to fuse metallic powder to progressively form complex and intricate 3D components.
Although the process was pioneered for the mould tool manufacturing industry, other market segments such as medical, aerospace, Formula 1 and academic institutions can benefit from this novel process, said ES Technology.
Further reading
Laser marking with automation
The Drill-Mark 6000 from ES Technology is capable of marking up to 6,200 components per hour and incorporates dual part presentation hoppers and dual marking fixtures.
High speed marking is cost-effective
For where laser marking is impractical, a compact high speed pin marking system which is capable of marking 12 characters per second.
The laser beam completely melts the metal powder and therefore produces a stress and deformation free fully dense part in a wide range of materials including - tool steel, stainless steel, Inconel, aluminium and titanium.
The powder material is applied to a component carrier in pre-determined thicknesses, and then fused by the laser according to the CAD data for that specific layer or 'slice' of the part.
This process is repeated, layer by layer, until the finished part is produced.
Components, such as mould tool inserts, are manufactured in this way, and can have conformal cooling channels and other complex 3D geometries, which would be impossible to manufacture by other methods.
The LaserCUSING process can be used to make a wide range of parts, including final production components, inserts for injection moulding tools and inserts for pressure die casting.
The completed components have virtually the same characteristics as parts produced by conventional methods and can be machined, welded, hardened or laser eroded.
* Special purpose laser systems - ES Technology is a leading supplier of special purpose laser marking and processing systems.
As a laser system integrator, ES has acquired a novel combination of laser expertise and automation design skills, enabling ES to provide complete turnkey solutions for a broad range of part handling and marking applications.
ES Technology also provides sub-contract laser marking services, after- sales servicing and parts in addition to the design and manufacture of laser marking systems and sales of the Concept Laser range.
Laser systems are built from a range of suitable manufacturers - including Rofin.
* ES Technology at MACH 2008, NEC, Birmingham, UK, April 21-25, Hall 4, Rapid Product Development Zone, Stand 4680a.
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