Who will win the 2022 3D Printing Industry Awards?
EOS, the leading powder bed fusion (PBF) 3D printer manufacturer, has launched its new Contract Manufacturing Network (CMN). The network links established AM production partners with end users so they can quickly and reliably produce high-quality parts. Seven partners, FKM, Erpro, Volum-E, Pankl, Materialise, Oerlikon, and Hasenauer & Hesser will initially make up the network in EMEA. EOS’ new Contract Manufacturing Network expands on the services it already provides through its partner networks. Customers looking for reliable AM partners instead of manufacturing their own parts can reach out to the network for assistance with everything ranging from rapid prototyping to small series volumes of 1,000 parts.
“We want our customers to be successful. When outsourcing their AM production to a partner from the Contract Manufacturing Network, small series customers will get the same EOS quality and industry expertise all our customers are used to,” said Markus Glasser, Senior Vice President of EMEA at EOS.
EOS expects more partners to join its Contract Manufacturing Network.
What are the criteria to become a partner in this network?
Companies that want to partner must go through a thorough evaluation process and meet several requirements, for instance, having customers in the EMEA region. A minimum of five EOS systems from the most recent machine generation must be installed by seasoned partners, and these systems must be regularly serviced and inspected. As part of a preventive maintenance program, EOS provides all of the tools needed for remote service, allowing EOS production partners to provide the highest levels of system availability and performance, says the company.
Furthermore, it is mandatory for CMN partners to process EOS or EOS ecosystem powder with their respective systems to keep the network’s precisely articulated quality promise. The partner must also possess an ISO 9001-compliant quality management system and satisfies defined KPIs in areas like scrap rates, on-time delivery, and customer satisfaction to meet high-quality standards.
The MakerVerse partner hub, which is an EOS-branded platform on MakerVerse, will list the EOS CMN partners. This allows network partners to reach out to more potential end customers while simultaneously keeping the ordering process as effortless as possible. EOS CMN’s collaboration with MakerVerse as its fulfillment partner enables customers to access the entire CMN production capabilities while simultaneously taking care of all questions, purchase orders, invoicing, and payments.
“Our network partners are also able to act as pilot users for new technology developments at EOS, giving us valuable input and together developing the innovations that will shape the future of AM,” said the Senior Vice President of EMEA at EOS.
Additive Manufacturing Networks
Previously, Siemens had launched an Additive Manufacturing Network (AMN). This AMN is a cloud-based platform that promotes cooperation between engineers and suppliers for the production of 3D printed parts. Additionally, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and Siemens Gas and Power, the company’s oil and gas division, have teamed up to create training programs for additive manufacturing that will be made available through Materials Solutions.
Elsewhere, to provide the US Navy with a digitalized production workflow to support distributed additive manufacturing, the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific had awarded a contract to 3YOURMIND, a software developer for additive manufacturing. The mission of the NIWC Pacific and NIWC Atlantic, which entails offering continuous vigilance, adaptive response, and engineering excellence, would be significantly advanced by incorporating the software platform from 3YOURMIND and the AM-specific digital thread.
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Feature image displays a collection of EOS systems at Sintavia’s 3D printing facility. Photo via EOS.
