Products as diverse as mould tool inserts, dental prosthesis, exhaust manifolds, turbine blades, medical components and high end automotive parts all have one thing in common: they have all be produced using LaserCUSING® technology. Developed and pioneered by Concept Laser GmbH, the LaserCUSING® process is used to manufacture components direct from CAD, including final production parts in a range of steels and light alloys.
Breaking the Mould with LaserCUSING®
Originally targeted at the mould tool manufacturing industry for the production of mould inserts, LaserCUSING® has been instrumental in reducing moulding cycle times by as much as 30% by producing mould inserts with conformal cooling channels. The layer by layer construction of the part makes it possible to design and manufacture tool and insert components which would otherwise be impossible or impractical to produce by traditional machining methods. Furthermore, the opportunity to cool critical regions of the mould tool frees the users of LaserCUSING® technology from the traditional constraints of tool design, improving mould performance and enabling significant productivity increases.
The many benefits of the LaserCUSING® process are now being realised by an increasing number of sub-contract and prototype component manufacturers who use the technology for short batch production runs or for the manufacture of fully functioning prototype components. The diversity of applications and industries has led Concept Laser GmbH to develop a range of three different LaserCUSING® machines – M1 – M2 and M3 Linear which offer component build volumes up to 300 X 350 X 300mm.
Concept Laser’s M2 Cusing has been specifically designed to work with aluminium or titanium alloys, which unlike the range of steel powders which can also be used within this machine, react with oxygen. The M2 Cusing machine provides the nitrogen or argon based atmospheres required for the production of components in these materials. A series of sensors and measurement systems is also incorporated within the M2 machine, which meet all ATEX approved guidelines for the handling of reactive materials, ensuring safe operation at all times even when running un-attended or in overnight production.
Capable of building layers from 20µm – 80 µm the LaserCUSING® process offers the quality and accuracy expected for the production of both prototype and finished parts. With a customer base spanning mould tool manufacture, medical device, aerospace and automotive, LaserCUSING® is proving to be a valuable asset for companies involved in the sub-contract manufacture of prototypes and small batch finished part production. The LaserCUSING® process and the diverse range of parts which it can produce will be of interest to many Subcon 2009 visitors. Companies involved in sub-contract manufacturing where quality, innovative design and flexibility are required will find LaserCUSING® and the sample parts on display at the ES Technology Stand – MEM 56, both interesting and inspiring.
ES Technology Limited was selected in 2008 by Concept Laser GmbH as exclusive distributor for Concept Laser’s Additive Manufacturing systems. ES Technology is responsible for the marketing, sales, servicing and support of the full range of Concept Laser products throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. ES Technology Limited also provides a number of other products and services including:-
· Sub-contract laser marking services
· Laser and optical components
· After sales service
· Design and manufacture of laser marking systems
For Further Information Please Contact :-
Mr .Colin Cater
Sales Manager Rapid Manufacturing
ES Technology Limited
Telephone - +44(0)1327 701 107
Mobile - 07501224100
E-mail - c.cater@estechnology.co.uk
Web Site - www.estechnology.co.uk
Andy Sandford
Sticklebacks Communications Ltd
Tel 01737 270 648
Mobile 07971 436 644
www.sticklebacks.com