6 Wins for Electron Beam Melting (EBM)
Where is electron beam powder bed fusion being used? Here are some of the applications we have reported on.
Electron beam melting (EBM) or electron beam powder bed fusion is, in a sense, the “other” metal powder bed additive manufacturing process — less commonly applied than laser powder bed fusion. However, one of these processes is not a substitute for the other.
EBM, with its higher energy melting source and a build chamber held to a consistent high temperature, offers the potential for higher productivity, control over part distortion, and the ability to 3D print very hard, high-temperature metals that might not be a candidate for any other additive process.
Here are several of the applications for EBM we have reported on:
- Implants: EBM is well-established for implant production, and is finding a growing role in patient-specific implants.
- Turbine blades, including for power generation.
- Wear parts and tooling in very hard metals.
- Lightweight components for systems used in space, including for the Mars rover and missions to the asteroid Psyche and Jupiter.
- Intricate machine components, including for an EBM machine itself.
- …and, in one unusual case, an application for zoo animals.
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