At present, additive manufacturing offers customers the possibility to generate metal inserts featuring cooling close to the surface, enabling a shorter mould cooling sequence and hence faster plastic injection cycle time.

Both companies have thus agreed to focus on the mould & die sector, and will develop exclusive solutions for mould makers with the integration of additive manufacturing machines into the production process of mould inserts, as well as the necessary software and automation link with downstream machine tools and measuring devices.

GF CEO Yves Serra commented that the company welcomes the strategic partnership, and commends how well both complement each other in being able to offer a unique set of technologies to existing customers.

Said EOS founder and CEO, Dr Hans J Langer: “The cooperation allows us to increase the value for customers within the mould & die sector, by integrating conventional and additive technologies. This is a large step towards seamless production.”

The first solutions will be shown at the EMO 2015 that will take place in early October in Milan, Italy.