EOS Partners With nLIGHT to Optimize Laser Technology for Additive Manufacturing

EOS, a global provider of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, and nlight, a provider of high-power semiconductor and fiber lasers, have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to pursue a joint strategic technology cooperation, making nLIGHT’s beam shaping lasers available in EOS’ metal AM systems.

The cooperation between nLIGHT and EOS includes the implementation of a series of complementary laser-based technologies to optimize the AM light engine for robust industrial 3D printing production. The companies plan to make beam shaping and light engine optimization capabilities available digitally, enabling customers to access different beam profiles via EOS software to activate higher productivity printing. AMCM, an EOS Group company focused on customized AM solutions, has already made the programmable AFX laser available in its metal AM systems. The LOI between nLIGHT and EOS represents an evolution of this relationship.

The nLIGHT programmable AFX laser offers seven different beam profiles in a single laser, ranging from an 85-micron spot size for maximum precision contours, to a 210-micron ring profile for faster printing, improved process stability and reduced soot and spatter. The AFX lasers deliver printing speeds up to three times faster for 316L steel and aluminum compared to a standard 400-W process.

“EOS is an industry leader in additive manufacturing, and nLIGHT is proud to partner with a company that shares our vision for bringing significant improvements to the additive manufacturing landscape,” says Scott Keeney, CEO of nLIGHT. “The teams and technologies at nLIGHT and EOS are highly complementary. We are excited to build on the early success with AMCM to integrate our laser technologies into the wider EOS portfolio.”

EOS and nLIGHT plan to make the AFX-enabled machines available to customers in late 2024.

“We are always researching industry leading technologies to advance the industrialization of additive manufacturing to meet the emerging application demands and exceed customer expectations,” says Marie Langer, EOS CEO. “The flexibility and performance gains of nLIGHT’s beam shaping and laser technologies gives us an unprecedented advancement in metal AM systems and will allow our customers to unleash a new level of productivity.”