EOS Launches Digital Foam Architects Network

EOS has launched its Digital Foam Architects network, designed to accelerate the development and additive manufacturing (AM) of consumer, medical and industrial products featuring Digital Foam applications. Founding members include EOS, Arkema, General Lattice and DyeMansion.

It is said Digital Foam breathes new life into mature products, while also creating entirely new product offerings — from athletic shoes and orthotics to protective gear and medical products. The material enables manufacturers to “dial-in” exactly the performance or features they need to deliver product differentiation as well as provide mass customized product offerings.

Digital Foam applications typically have complex requirements, requiring multiple disciplines to ensure success. The Digital Foam Architects network formalizes an alliance of AM experts ready to bring ideas to production, including design software, materials and the various AM hardware elements — from printing to postprocessing and colorization.

“Digital Foam applications can be designed and produced with tailored features for performance, protection and lightweighting,” says Jon Walker, EOS government relations and key accounts manager. “But Digital Foam is not a product, rather it is an approach to 3D printing foam-like products. The Digital Foam Architects network is another chapter in the maturation of this approach by coalescing the required AM expertise. We are very pleased to announce our first commitments to this network of experts.”

Arkema says it is committed to supporting new additive manufacturing application development through more sustainable material solutions. “In collaboration with EOS, we continue to push the boundaries on what is feasible in 3D printing by combining strong enablers, such as Digital Foam, and new materials, such as Pebax elastomers,” says Adrien Lapeyre, director of Arkema 3D printing program. “We look forward to the growth of Digital Foam and we will continue to play an active role in this program.”

Underpinning Digital Foam is the EOS patent relating to any generatively 3D printed object which has a flexible grid-like structure or matrix (for example, a lattice), composed of open cells that are joined together in groups of differing characteristics. Described in basic terms, this covers any varying 3D printed lattice structures morphing into each other.

The network will expand its partners as Digital Foam continues to be leveraged as an additively manufactured flexible lattice solution.

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• Read how Bauer Hockey uses EOS 3D printed digital foam for customizing helmets. The new in-store experience, combined with proprietary 3D printing technology, opens the door for personalized hockey products.
   
• Listen to this episode of The Cool Parts Show to hear how 3D printing will deliver tailored products. Scanning feet for their geometry and pressure enables Aetrex and EOS to manufacture insoles that are unique to individual wearers.