Announced at Formnext 2016, new CoCr process allows customers in orthopedic industry to realize the full potential of Arcam’s EBM technology.

Just last month the 3D printing industry was preparing to welcome the US industrial group General Electric (GE) as the new pioneers of metal 3D printing. GE was on the cusp of completing a $1.4 billion dollar deal that involved the purchase of the Swedish company Arcam AB, but the deal was not completed due to an intervention by “super investor” Paul Singer.

While that drama continues to unfold, it hasn’t stopped Arcam from continuing down the path of innovation. This week at the Formnext 2016 exhibition in Frankfurt, the metal 3D printing company will showcase their newest process, as well as the latest enhancements to their electron beam melting (EBM) technology.

For starters, the company has announced their new CoCr process that was created for the Q10plus 3D printing system. CoCr and titanium are combined to create a material that’s optimized for the orthopedic industry. Engineered for use with EBM technology, the CoCr process is capable of producing high resolution parts, offers production level efficiency, as well as superior material properties.

This newly developed process is backed by an animal study conducted by the University of Gothenburg, which showed successful bone interaction with this CoCr material.

Arcam Continues to Innovate with EBM

For the first time at Formnext, Arcam also has their EBM technology right on the exhibition room floor. The Swedish company is showcasing their newly released Q10plus, the latest iteration of their 3D printing technology that’s geared towards orthopedic manufacturing.

Arcam is also demonstrating a number of features from their state-of-the-art 3D printing system:

• Arcam xQam – an X-ray detection system for automatic calibration and improved beam control.
• EBM Control 5.0 – software platform promoting more efficient and accurate beam control, as well as improved build speed and precision.
• MultiBeam – the proprietary technology for parallel melting.

Lastly, Arcam is also showing off high quality titanium powders developed by AP&C, their key supplier of high quality titanium material.

AP&C’s new powder manufacturing plant will provide Arcam with manufacturing redundancy, an increase short term capacity, and long term expansion capability. The Montreal-based powder manufacturer’s Plasma technology converts raw material to powder with enhanced properties such as flowability, density, chemistry, and traceability.

Magnus René, CEO of Arcam, said:

“It is exciting to be at Formnext with our teams from the EBM business and the AP&C powder business exhibiting in concert. Arcam is determined to serve the industry through cost efficient solutions thus converting traditional manufacturing into Additive Manufacturing.”

All in all, Arcam AB seems unfazed by the setbacks to their union with GE, and will continue innovating upon their unique EBM technology.

While at Formnext 2016 this week, the Swedish company will be displaying parts made with their new CoCr process in Hall 3/F20.

Source: Press Release