3DPrintUK adds two EOS P396 SLS systems to roster
Heralds faster turnaround times for clients
3DPrintUK has purchased two new selective laser sintering systems that promise enhanced capacity for a growing client base. The announcement follows on 3DPrintUK’s recent introduction of new SLS Flexible material, a new shot peening finishing service and new color options. The new machines are the fourth step in a five-step £1 million expansion plan.
3DPrintUK is an established low volume additive production company that uses powder bed fusion printing systems to create polymer objects. The company focuses on the manufacturing space between prototyping and injection molding, where volumes are notoriously too low to profitably run injection molds. The company can scale its production runs from a single unit to tens of thousands of parts.
The company plans to increase its fleet of EOS selective laser sintering systems to increase its market share. The company has now completed the installation of two EOS Formiga P396 machines at the cost of £400,000. 3DPrintUK already operates a bank of seven Formiga P100 and P110 SLS machines. These latest additions bring the company’s machines to a total of nine.
The P396 systems enhance 3DPrintUK’s client offering because the systems operate a more powerful laser. This laser reduces energy consumption by up to 38%—a huge potential saving in a country whose average electricity cost per kilowatt-hour amounts to roughly £0.17. The additional lasers also take the strain off each laser in the array, which allows 3DPrintUK to lessen downtime between builds. The improved array ultimately benefits clients through faster turnaround times without compromising the quality of the build.
The CEO of 3DPrintUK, Nick Allen, is enthused by the new systems’ specifications: “We are excited to introduce two P396 machines into our new expanded premises in London with their larger build envelopes. Our customers told us they wanted larger parts, and we can now offer the full 300 mm x 300 mm x 600 mm capacity on the P396s following considerable testing in the real world. We continue to invest in production and post-processing equipment in response to customer demand, and this enables us to lead the way as more and more companies explore the use of 3D printing as an economical and value-added alternative to traditional manufacturing processes for batch production.”
The company’s expansion along its five-step plan promises further tailwinds in an industry poised to benefit from disrupted labor markets.
