Royal Plastic Unveils A New High Temperature Laser Sintering Capacity

Royal Plastic Mfg. announced the purchase of one of EOSINT P 800 systems from EOS, a manufacturer of laser-sintering equipment. Royal will use the P 800 to manufacture high-performance thermoplastic products out of EOS' unique PEEK HP3 material.

"Laser-sintered EOS PEEK HP3 components have outstanding heat- and corrosion-resistant properties that make them ideal for aerospace," said Bob Evans, Area Sales Manager - Central Region at EOS of North America. "The P 800 purchase is just one more example of how Royal explores and advances new technologies with, and on behalf of, their customers."

EOS PEEK HP3 is a high-performance polymer, belonging to the group of polyaryletherketones - with a melt point of 372°C/702°F. It is widely known for its outstanding material properties, including flame and temperature resistance, chemical resistance, high tensile strength, light weight, biocompatibility and sterilizability - properties that make it attractive for aerospace, medical, automotive and industrial applications. PEEK HP3 from EOS is the only PEEK-type polymer available for laser-sintering.

The sintering platform, an enhanced EOS P800, boasts a large build volume measuring (700x380x550)mm. The additive nature of the process, in which parts are melted or sintered together from many thin layers of powdered material, lends itself to design complexities that are not manufacturable through traditional machining or injection molding processes.

Royal acquired the EOSINT P 800 as part of an ongoing project funded by the United States Air Force and Navy. The company has worked closely with two of the largest air defense contractors on the project and is adding to existing military guidelines for laser-sintering by developing specifications for PEEK HP3. Aircraft parts manufactured with the thermoplastic will include ducts for cooling and heating avionics, and clips and brackets for attaching fuel systems or wiring.

Royal will attend SME RAPID 2010 (May 18-20, Anaheim, CA) and will speak about the EOSINT P 800, both at the show and at EOS' annual North America User Day one day prior to, and in the same location as, RAPID. EOS is the presenting sponsor of the show and will be exhibiting at Booth 301.