EOS, a leading technology supplier of additive manufacturing solutions, has adopted the CO-AM software platform from Materialise, a global leader in 3D printing solutions, to manage their additive manufacturing (AM) processes for application engineering and internal sinter production. CO-AM integrates with EOS’ existing infrastructure and will be used to improve the efficiency of AM production across global facilities.
EOS maintains production sites across Germany, the United States, and various locations in the APAC region. The globally distributed AM capacities serve internal demands and support EOS’ application engineering services. EOS has adopted CO-AM to manage these AM processes and enhance traceability and efficiency. The Materialise CO-AM Software Platform provides access to a full range of software tools to plan, manage, and optimize every step of the 3D printing process.
EOS integrated CO-AM into its existing infrastructure, such as data and customer relationship management software, and connected it to their fleet of equipment. CO-AM will support the EOS internal AM workflow from order management through production scheduling, build monitoring, and post-processing.
“It is critical that tools such as CO-AM are able to provide improvements in the efficiency of AM production that outweigh the cost of using the tool,” said Trevor Kirsten, Head of Digital Manufacture at EOS. “With enhanced connectivity and traceability in CO-AM, we aim to improve efficiency in our production process by reducing powder consumption and the number of machines required for our operations.”
The CO-AM Scheduler shows both planned and actual printer activities to support utilization rate improvements. Within the platform, Materialise’s AMWatch software will enable operators and engineers to monitor build status and process sensor data to decrease scrap rates and improve quality control. EOS team members will also have access to data in the CO-AM platform gathered through a shop-floor iOS application. This digital feedback from the factory floor will help them to monitor unpacking, de-powdering, and post-processing activities in real time.
“One of the primary benefits of the CO-AM platform is the open and flexible architecture that allows companies to integrate the software with their existing manufacturing technology and adapt it to their needs,” said Jim Carlson, Head of Global Customer Success at Materialise. “EOS and Materialise share a long partnership, and we are looking forward to collaborating with them to create a more efficient and connected additive workflow.”
