Exactech
EOS StainlessSteel IndustryLine 620x431
Entirely 3D printed prototype (apart from the internal springs), produced with the EOS StainlessSteel 17-4 PH IndustryLine parameter set. It enables Exactech to create instrument solutions in small production runs with reduced lead time and cost.
EOS has released its latest metal 3D printing material, the StainlessSteel 17-4PH IndustryLine, which it believes will raise industrial and quality standards across the additive manufacturing space.
It consists of an iron-based metal alloy powder and a specially developed process parameter for manufacturing on EOS’ M 290 platform. EOS says it guarantees reproducible part quality through the highest degree of data reliability for material properties, meaning it can be harnessed for the serial production of metal additive parts. Additionally, it is said to save time and cost, particularly in the quality assurance and part qualification processes.
Boasting high-strength and acid- and corrosion-resistance, EOS is confident the easily curable material can significantly impact the medical sector, through the manufacture of surgical and orthopaedic instruments. Parts made with StainlessSteel 17-4PH IndustryLine can also be processed, micro-blasted, and polished immediately after their build, or also after heat treatment.
A stringent testing process was carried out after the development of the material, with the help of developers from companies such as Exactech in USA. The StainlessSteel 17-4PH IndustryLine was tested against international standards and in-house quality assurance procedures. EOS confirms the material powder is guaranteed by these quality assurance processes and thus ready for implementation in such markets as healthcare.
“Planning security and reliability are top priorities for customers who are engaged in serial manufacturing,” explained Dr Tobias Abeln, Chief Technical Officer at EOS. “For its StainlessSteel 17-4PH IndustryLine, EOS provides reliable and statistically proven data for the most important material properties of finished parts.
“This significantly raises quality standard in additive manufacturing. The customer can use the data 1:1 to qualify the technology for large-scale production and therefore minimise the time required as well as cut the cost of in-house material and process qualification.”
“We were impressed by both the quantity and quality of the data that EOS provided for its IndustryLine process and material,” added Zachary Bryan, PhD, test developer and metallurgist at the US-based customer Exactech. “We have manufactured various instruments based on EOS StainlessSteel 17-4PH IndustryLine and achieved the desired material properties. Exactech is planning to use this material for the small-scale manufacturing of medical instruments and intents to do so in collaboration with EOS.”
