It is a patent-protected 3D printing technology owned by GE Additive.
How it works
Material - metal powder or wire is placed in a vacuum, where it is melted using an electron beam to a temperature of up to 2,000°C and connected. Unlike SLS technology, the material is completely melted here. This is how the entire product is gradually created, one layer after another. The entire process takes place in a vacuum and is therefore suitable for the production of components from reactive materials such as titanium.
History
This 3D printing method was developed and patented by the Swedish company Arcam. It was absorbed during 2016 and 2017 by GE Additive, which acquired a 95% stake in it.
EBM printers continue to be sold under the Arcam brand.
The entry of a giant such as GE Additive into the field of metal 3D printing had a great impact on the overall development of this printing (even with the SLM method). Until then, many companies hesitated to buy these extremely expensive 3D printers, waiting to see how the industry would develop further.
Trends
The manufacturer of these 3D printers is trying to expand the range of usable metals to include copper, niobium, surgical steel and others.
Prints from these printers have been used in implantology since 2007. They have also been used in astronautics, aviation and the automotive industry. GE Additive is expected to look to expand these printers to other large manufacturing firms. As for the highly industrial method of 3D printing, it is not expected to expand towards semi-professional and certainly not hobby printing.
This type of printing will not be used by companies providing custom 3D printing in the foreseeable future.
Advantages
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Metal powder or wire can be used
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High accuracy of prints
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It gives high control over the porosity of the print
Disadvantages
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The print needs to be surface processed
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It requires high purity of the material
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3D printers require more care in the form of preventive maintenance
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Very little widespread metal 3D printing technology
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Astronomical prices of 3D printers