BeAM Machines, Inc., a European manufacturer of metal 3-D additive manufacturing machines using laser metal deposition (LMD) technology, has established operations in the United States. The company is working with the support of Fives Machining to serve the U.S. market. The company also plans to manufacture its large-part metal additive machines in the U.S.
Tim Bell, a 10-year veteran of additive manufacturing (AM), will serve as General Manager and Vice President of Business Development for the U.S. subsidiary. "We believe we have a better additive solution for customers in the aerospace, defense and AM markets, and we are looking to advance BeAM as a leader in these markets," said Bell. "The U.S. market is fairly mature when it comes to AM, and we believe BeAM's highly advanced technology will be well received due to its industrial approach and support."
BeAM, a spin-off of 30-year-old French Laser research center, is built on LMD and CNC technology. LMD consists of laser melted metallic powder fed through a deposition nozzle to create a layer-by-layer construction with CNC-controlled dimensions. BeAM machines support a wide range of materials, such as stainless steel, titanium, nickel alloys, cobalt chromium and more. As a general rule, any material that can be laser welded is potentially suitable for use with LMD technology. A range of standard and custom nozzles are available for most every industrial application. "The fully integrated BeAM LMD machines are CE certified, modular, upgradable and deliver high-performance through longevity and accuracy in a controlled atmosphere with a secure powder environment," said a company spokesperson.
"We aim to accelerate the development of the LMD market and we are looking to lead LMD industrial machine manufacturers in developing new applications in the field of manufacturing and repair," said Bell. BeAM machines have the capacity to direct 3-D print high-value parts, add functional shapes and/or functions to those parts, as well as perform repairs on parts previously rendered as scrap using the CLAD process. "CLAD revolutionizes the maintenance market in the aerospace and other sectors by drastically reducing the cost and time of repairs," added Emeric d'Arcimoles, BeAM's CEO (previously Turbomeca CEO and Chairman of the Paris Air Show exhibition.
"Well established in the European aeronautics, space and defense fields, BeAM was the first manufacturer of LMD machines to obtain the highest aeronautical-quality standards certification to repair critical parts," said the spokesperson. "This certification has effectively extended the lifetime of key parts from 10,000 to 60,000 hours, saving clients valuable time and money."
BeAM machines for the U.S. market will be manufactured at one of the Fives' machine tool facilities located in the U.S. BeAM's solution oriented approach offers an open invitation for unique and collaborative partnerships with U.S. AM centers to advance R&D and the AM industry as a whole.
For more information contact:
Tim Bell
BeAM Machines, Inc.
2200 Litton Ln.
Hebron, KY 41048
513-236-0623
tb@beam-machines.com
www.beam-machines.com