Royal Plastic Buys North America’s First EOSINT P 800
Laser-Sintering Machine
EOS additive manufacturing system will be used to make
high-performance thermoplastic parts for aerospace
Novi, MI, March 30, 2010—Today EOS, the world-leading manufacturer of laser-sintering equipment, announced the purchase of one of their EOSINT P 800 systems by Royal Plastic Mfg. (Minden, NE). It is the first sale of this model in North America. Royal will use the P 800 to manufacture high-performance thermoplastic products out of EOS’ unique PEEK HP3 material.
“We have more than a half-century of experience creating aircraft parts,” says Tim O’Dey, engineering manager at Royal Plastic. “The new material and manufacturing technology from EOS are an excellent fit for expanding our high-value offerings to existing customers, and even reaching into medical and other fields.”
“Laser-sintered EOS PEEK HP3 components have outstanding heat- and corrosion-resistant properties that make them ideal for aerospace,” says Bob Evans, Area Sales Manager, Central Region at EOS of North America. “The P 800 purchase is just one more example of how Royal explores and advances new technologies with, and on behalf of, their customers.”
EOS PEEK HP3 is a high-performance polymer—belonging to the group of polyaryletherketones—with a melt point of 372oC/702oF. It is widely known for its outstanding material properties, including flame and temperature resistance, chemical resistance, high tensile strength, light weight, biocompatibility and sterilizability—properties that make it attractive for aerospace, medical, automotive and industrial applications. PEEK HP3 from EOS is the only PEEK-type polymer available for laser-sintering.
Royal acquired the EOSINT P 800 as part of an ongoing project funded by the United States Air Force and Navy. The company has worked closely with two of the largest air defense contractors on the project and is adding to existing military guidelines for laser-sintering by developing specifications for PEEK HP3. Aircraft parts manufactured with the thermoplastic will include ducts for cooling and heating avionics, and clips and brackets for attaching fuel systems or wiring.
Royal will attend SME RAPID 2010 (May 18-20, Anaheim, CA) and will speak about the EOSINT P 800, both at the show on Thursday and at EOS’ annual North America User Day one day prior to, and in the same location as, RAPID. EOS is the presenting sponsor of the show and will be exhibiting at Booth 301.
About Royal Plastic Mfg.
Founded in 1949, Royal Plastic Mfg. is a specialty manufacturer of advanced composite products. The company is known for its high-quality aerospace parts and has focused exclusively on composites since 1958. Products manufactured by the company are found on the space shuttle, Apache Helicopters, F-15 and F-18 fighter jets, GPS satellites, the V-22 Osprey and the GEnX-2B engine on the 747-8. Shop technology at Royal includes autoclaves, C-Scan non-destructive inspection, CMM inspection, CNC machining, and high temperature laser sintering. The company has a staff of 100, 12 in engineering and product development. Royal is ISO 9001:2000, AS9100B and Nadcap accredited for composite processing.
About EOS
EOS was founded in 1989 and is today the world-leading manufacturer of laser-sintering systems. Laser-sintering is the key technology for e-Manufacturing, the fast, flexible and cost-effective production of products, patterns and tools. The technology manufactures parts for every phase of the product life cycle, directly from electronic data. Laser-sintering accelerates product development and optimizes production processes. EOS completed its business year 2008/2009 with revenues of 60 million Euros. The company employs 300 people worldwide, 250 of them in Krailling near Munich, Germany. For more information visit www.eos.info
Contacts
EOS
Claudia Jordan
Group Manager Marketing Communications
Phone: +011 49 89 893 36 134
Fax: +011 49 89 893 36 284
e-mail: Email Contact
Parker Group (editorial contact, US)
Nick O’Donohoe
Tel.: +1 401 272 1510
e-mail: Email Contact
Royal Plastic Mfg.
Jarrod Ridge
Business Development
Phone: (308) 832-2760 x130
Fax: (308) 832-2870
e-mail: Jarrod@rpm-composites.com