Additive manufacturing equipment promotes high-quality, patient-specific products

Novi, MI, May 24, 2010—The industry-changing capabilities of laser-sintering equipment for producing customized medical devices will be showcased by EOS during the world’s largest event for medical design and manufacturing: MD&M 2010 (June 7-10, New York, N.Y.). The leading manufacturer of laser-sintering systems is demonstrating a working FORMIGA P 100 plastics machine and exhibiting plastic and metal medical prototypes and parts at booth 2655. The company will also provide background about its latest software and hardware for product standardization and reliability.

 “Medical companies are already using our technology to create patient-specific medical products, uniquely tailored to an individual’s anatomy and needs,” says Martin Bullemer, Key Account Manager Medical at EOS. “As our quality and production controls continue evolving, designers and manufacturers will be able to achieve even more extraordinary advances in patient care and comfort.”

In plastics, EOS laser-sintered nylon is increasingly being used and researched for disposable, customized operating devices such as drill guides for knee and hip replacements. The same polyamide formulation has seen service in a lightweight, robust and durable orthesis, designed to precision measurements of a patient’s limb. EOS’ new PEEK HP3, a high-temperature, high-performance thermoplastic, will be biocompatible and sterilizable, making it potentially well-suited for spinal implants.

In metals, direct metal laser-sintering (DMLS) systems are currently used to create:

• Stainless-steel prototypes for customized spinal surgical instruments
• Cobalt chrome replacement knee joint prototypes, and end-product dental copings and bridges
• Titanium dental implants with porous surfaces that promote osteointegration

Recently added control options include (now available for DMLS) an Integrated Process Chain Management system that provides quality assurance for re-using metal powder and (for plastics laser-sintering) a series of Part Property Profiles (PPP) that offer five different parameter settings for standardized, cost-effective part production. Recently, EOS announced that it is undertaking a Quality Standard initiative open to all of its customers. The new standard defines requirements and procedures that customers can integrate into their own ISO: 9001 quality management systems. Find out more about the quality standard here.

About EOS

EOS was founded in 1989 and is today the world-leading manufacturer of laser-sintering systems. Laser-sintering is the key technology for e-Manufacturing, the fast, flexible and cost-effective production of products, patterns and tools. The technology manufactures parts for every phase of the product life cycle, directly from electronic data. Laser-sintering accelerates product development and optimizes production processes. EOS completed its business year 2008/2009 with revenues of 60 million Euros. The company employs 300 people worldwide, 250 of them in Krailling near Munich, Germany. For more information visit www.eos.info

Contacts

EOS

Claudia Jordan

Group Manager Marketing Communications

Phone: +011 49 89 893 36 134

Fax: +011 49 89 893 36 284

e-mail: Email Contact

Parker Group (editorial contact, US)

Nick O’Donohoe

Tel.: +1 401 272 1510

e-mail: Email Contact