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An Overview
Electron Beam Melting (EBM) builds a part in layers by melting metal powder with an electron beam in a vacuum. A layer of powder is scraped onto a surface. A computer controlled electron beam melts the powder together to create the geometry for a layer of the part as specified by CAD data. This beam bombards the layers with high speed electrons .5-.8 times the speed of light generating heat and melting the surface of the part causing the material to locally vaporize. The surface is then lowered the thickness of the layer of powder before the next layer is scraped onto the surface. As the electron beam melts each layer corresponding to the desired geometry, the layers of powder are also fused together. This process of lowering the surface, scraping a new powder layer onto the surface, and melting the layer is repeated until the entire part is built.
Parts built with this technology are fully solid, void-free, extremely strong, and can withstand high temperatures. The surface of these parts is improved over other technologies. Detailed cuts can also be made in parts when using this technology. This technology generally has a superior build rate (speed) because of its higher energy density and scanning method. Parts made of titanium are generally built three to five times faster than other additive fabrication methods. This technology is ideal for manufacturing complex parts in low quantities.
Parts constructed by this technology are limited to the size of the vacuum containing the part being built.
Materials that can be used for parts built using this technology include metals, non-metals, ceramics and composites. Titanium alloys are widely used with this technology which makes it a candidate for the medical implant market as well as other highly demanding mechanical applications.
This technology is sometimes referred to as Electron Beam Machining and is often classified as a Rapid Manufacturing technology.
This technology was developed by Arcam AB and was launched in 2002.
Disclaimer
DPT may not provide some of the services and/or techniques presented in the Knowledge Center. For a full list of services we do offer, please visit our rapid prototyping page.
