____________________________________________________
Press Release | Presseinformation | Communiqué de presse | Communicado de prensa
| Comunicato stampa | Пресс-релиз | Imprensa | Persbericht | Notatka prasowa
█ Laser Melting with Metals (LaserCUSING)
Additive manufacturing with a digital
process chain in the Blok Group
The Blok Group relies on maximum build
envelope for laser melting of metals
Investment in two laser melting systems from Concept Laser for a
wide range of 3D printing components
Lichtenfels (D) / Velsen-Noord (NL), 03/08/2015: Blok Group, from the Netherlands,
a top level technical partner in Engineering, Prototyping, Production, Assembly,
Industrial services, Project & Supply Chain Management and 3D-printing, is
investing in two new laser melting systems from Concept Laser. They include an
X line 2000R system, which combines the largest build envelope currently
available with the latest multilaser technology for reactive materials. A new M2
PR 8-2015
533564884
Words: 904 | Characters: 4,861
Page 1 of 10
____________________________________________________
Press Release | Presseinformation | Communiqué de presse | Communicado de prensa
| Comunicato stampa | Пресс-релиз | Imprensa | Persbericht | Notatka prasowa
cusing supplements the manufacturing range in the medium-sized system
segment.
The Blok Group views itself as a trend-setter and innovator with a comprehensive range
of services for developing and producing high-quality components and solutions for
demanding industries, including the aviation industry with its high quality and safety
requirements. The Blok Group's development and manufacturing processes therefore
comply with the AS 9100 C Aviation Standards, developed by the International
Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG). Concept Laser's systems come with the tools, which
the Blok Group needs for QS and documentation, and provide valid data during the build
process.
Big build envelope for big jobs
The new X line 2000R at Blok will be the first system of this scale in the Netherlands.
With a build envelope of 800x400x500 mm3, the X line 2000R currently offers the largest
build envelope for laser melting metals. Its heart, the dual laser system in the X line
2000R, is based on two 1,000 watt lasers. The useful build volume also increased
nearly 27% from 126 l to 160 l compared with the X line 1000R. In addition, the X line
2000R features a new sieving station that uses a quiet vibrating sieve instead of the
tumbler sieve. The concept is incredibly compact, as the oversized particle container is
now smaller, and has been integrated into the sieving station. The new sieving unit
reduces the unit's footprint – and its fully enclosed design keeps the surrounding area
clean and tidy. The dose unit has also been redesigned. The dose chamber is now filled
completely and fully automatically within one cycle. Erik Blok, CEO of the Blok Group:
"Speed and volume are important requirements for high-quality, economical production.
The benefits offered by the X line 2000R can also be seen clearly when compared with
PR 8-2015
533564884
Words: 904 | Characters: 4,861
Page 2 of 10
____________________________________________________
Press Release | Presseinformation | Communiqué de presse | Communicado de prensa
| Comunicato stampa | Пресс-релиз | Imprensa | Persbericht | Notatka prasowa
competing systems: It offers almost three to four times the build volume. Overall, the
2nd build module gives us high availability, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for additive
manufacturing." The design of the X line 2000R system is also suitable for processing
reactive materials. A new M2 cusing system by Concept Laser completes the range at
Blok Group in the medium-sized machine segment. It has been redesigned compared
with the previous model. The laser and the filter are also fully integrated into the system.
The surface area of the filter has also been increased fivefold. Moreover the M2 cusing
is fitted as standard with a water-submersible filter in order to guarantee safety when
changing the filter. This system will be used in future to build medium-sized 3D
geometries, positioning Blok as a comprehensive service provider for laser melting
metals in the Netherlands. Installation of the new capacity will start in August 2015 with
the M2 cusing, followed by the X line 2000R in Q1 of 2016.
Strategic partnership between Blok Group, Landré and Concept Laser
The investment in 3D printing is testimony to a strategic, long-term partnership between
the Blok Group, Landré and Concept Laser. In the partnership, the Blok Group serves
as the technical manufacturing service provider, Landré is the local sales partner and
Concept Laser is the system provider. Oliver Edelmann, Head of Sales & Marketing at
Concept Laser, describes the partnership as follows: “We are delighted to have found
an important strategic partner in the Netherlands in the Blok Group. A partnership of this
kind offers the processing company an opportunity to combine materials expertise and
new design approaches for 3D geometries with optimal system parameters. This allows
us to blend application requirements perfectly with system and process engineering
options." Erik Blok adds: "This network allows us to operate in two directions:
Redesigning existing products which until now have been built conventionally via
machining, and manufacturing new products which are developed specifically for the
PR 8-2015
533564884
Words: 904 | Characters: 4,861
Page 3 of 10
____________________________________________________
Press Release | Presseinformation | Communiqué de presse | Communicado de prensa
| Comunicato stampa | Пресс-релиз | Imprensa | Persbericht | Notatka prasowa
opportunities that additive manufacturing offers as early as the design phase. Overall,
the additive solutions offer diverse potential which cannot be achieved, or cannot be
achieved satisfactorily with conventional machining strategies.
Blok Group as a 3D printing center
The Blok Group is head and shoulders above its competitors with its years of
experience and expertise in manufacturing high-quality metal components. As a
progressive and innovative company, the investment in additive manufacturing is an
inevitable step towards the future. Erik Blok: "As a leading manufacturer in the
Netherlands metal industry, we intend this strategic investment to drive our futureproofing forward. The Blok Group is known for investments in the latest manufacturing
technologies. In the early 1990s, we were the first company here to invest in state-ofthe-art lathes and milling machines. And now we are the first to purchase the most
advanced system technology for additive metal manufacturing. Our goal is to maximize
the value added for us and our customers and to make the most of the options offered
by the process."
Reprint permitted – Copy requested
Captions
████████████████████████████████
Caption 1: Signing the deal: Jan Floor van Egmond, Director of Landré and Erik Blok,
CEO of the Blok Group (from left to right) in the Landré showroom.
PR 8-2015
533564884
Words: 904 | Characters: 4,861
Page 4 of 10
____________________________________________________
Press Release | Presseinformation | Communiqué de presse | Communicado de prensa
| Comunicato stampa | Пресс-релиз | Imprensa | Persbericht | Notatka prasowa
Erik Blok: "Overall, the additive solutions offer diverse potential which cannot be
achieved, or cannot be achieved satisfactorily with conventional machining strategies."
Caption 2: Oliver Edelmann, Head of Sales & Marketing at Concept Laser: "We are
delighted to have found an important strategic partner in the Netherlands in the Blok
Group. A partnership of this kind offers the processing company an opportunity to
combine materials expertise and new design approaches for 3D geometries with optimal
system parameters. That allowed us to combine application requirements ideally with
system and process engineering options."
Caption 3: M2 cusing as a compact solution in the medium-sized machine segment: The
M2 cusing comes fitted as standard with a 20 m² filter that can be immersed in water, in
order to guarantee safety when changing the filter. The filter surface area was increased
fivefold compared with the previous model.
Caption 4: The X line 2000R, with a 800x400x500 mm3 build envelope, uses a dual
laser system in which each laser has an output of 1,000 watts.
All image sources: Concept Laser GmbH, Lichtenfels (except 1 – image source Blok
Group)
Concept Laser trade fair appearances █████████████████████
MSV, Brünn (CZ)
14/09 – 18/09/2015
WESTEC, Los Angeles (USA)
15/09 – 17/09/2015
PR 8-2015
Words: 904 | Characters: 4,861
533564884
Page 5 of 10
____________________________________________________
Press Release | Presseinformation | Communiqué de presse | Communicado de prensa
| Comunicato stampa | Пресс-релиз | Imprensa | Persbericht | Notatka prasowa
Dental-Expo, Moscow (RUS)
28/09 – 01/10/2015
TCT, Birmingham (UK)
30/09 – 01/10/2015
Contacts ███████████████████████████████████████
Concept Laser GmbH
An der Zeil 8
D-96215 Lichtenfels
Germany
Phone:
+49(0)957/1679-0
Internet:
www.concept-laser.de
Press contacts:
Daniel Hund
Phone:
+49 (0) 9571 / 1679-251
E-mail:
d.hund@concept-laser.de
Blok Group & Blok Additive Manufacturing
Witte Hekweg 3
NL-1951 HK Velsen-Noord
The Netherlands
Phone.:
+31 (0)251 260 000
Internet:
www.blokgroup.nl
PR 8-2015
533564884
Words: 904 | Characters: 4,861
Page 6 of 10
____________________________________________________
Press Release | Presseinformation | Communiqué de presse | Communicado de prensa
| Comunicato stampa | Пресс-релиз | Imprensa | Persbericht | Notatka prasowa
Landré
Lange Dreef 10
NL-4131 NH Vianen
The Netherlands
Phone:
+31 (0)347 329 329
E-mail:
info@landre.nl
Internet:
www.landre.nl
Information on the Blok Group
████████████████████████
The Blok Group from Velsen-Noord in the Netherlands consists of five highly-specialized
companies which operate as technical partners for industrial customers. The wide range of
services includes engineering, prototyping, production, assembly, industry service, project and
supply chain management, as well as additive manufacturing (3D printing).
The Blok Group's development and manufacturing processes comply with the AS 9100 C
Aviation Standards, developed by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG). Many of
the group's customers come from the aerospace industry.
The Blok Group offers customized solutions and strives to establish long-term partnerships
along the supply chain. It prioritizes customer satisfaction and quality, which are the company's
strategic goals. The group's staff of over 136 position the Blok Group as a full-range supplier
which can cover the entire supply chain for the customer.
PR 8-2015
533564884
Words: 904 | Characters: 4,861
Page 7 of 10
____________________________________________________
Press Release | Presseinformation | Communiqué de presse | Communicado de prensa
| Comunicato stampa | Пресс-релиз | Imprensa | Persbericht | Notatka prasowa
Information on LaserCUSING® ██████████████████████████
Keyword: LaserCUSING®
The LaserCUSING® process is used to create mechanically and thermally stable metallic
components with high precision. Depending on the application, it can be used with stainless and
tool steels, aluminum and titanium alloys, nickel-based superalloys, cobalt-chromium alloys or
precious metals such as gold or silver alloys.
Procedures
With LaserCUSING®, finely pulverized metal is fused using a high-energy fiber laser. After
cooling, the material solidifies. Component contour is achieved by directing the laser beam with
a mirror deflection unit (scanner). Construction takes place layer by layer (with each layer
measuring 15-150 μm) by lowering the bottom surface of the construction space, then applying
and fusing more powder.
Concept Laser systems stand out due to their stochastic control of the slice segments (also
referred to as "islands"), which are processed successively. The patented process significantly
reduces tension during the manufacture of very large components.
Overview of Concept Laser
██████████████████████████
Concept Laser GmbH is an independent company based in Lichtenfels, Germany. Since its
founding in 2000, it has been a leading innovator in the field of laser melting with the patented
LaserCUSING® technology across many industries.
PR 8-2015
533564884
Words: 904 | Characters: 4,861
Page 8 of 10
____________________________________________________
Press Release | Presseinformation | Communiqué de presse | Communicado de prensa
| Comunicato stampa | Пресс-релиз | Imprensa | Persbericht | Notatka prasowa
The term LaserCUSING®, a combination of the C from CONCEPT Laser and the word FUSING
(to fully melt), describes the technology: The fusing process generates components layer by
layer using 3D CAD data.
The method allows the production of complex component geometries without tools to create
parts that are difficult or even impossible to achieve through conventional manufacturing.
With the LaserCUSING® process, conformal cooling can be used to create tool inserts as well
as direct components for the jewelry, medical, dental, automotive and aerospace industries. This
applies to prototypes and series parts.
The company offers both standard systems and custom concepts for metal laser melting. With
Concept Laser, full-service as an option means that customers can either purchase their own
metal laser melting systems or rely directly on service and development services.
Laser machining systems from Concept Laser process powder materials made from stainless
steel, hot work tool steels, cobalt-chromium alloy, nickel-base alloy as well as reactive powder
materials such as aluminum and titanium alloys. Precious metals such as gold or silver alloys for
jewelry making are also an option.
LaserCUSING® offers new perspectives in terms of cost and speed for efficient product
development in industries such as:
•
Jewelry
•
Medical and dental technology
•
Aerospace industry
•
Tool and mold construction
•
Automotive and motor sports
•
Mechanical engineering
PR 8-2015
533564884
Words: 904 | Characters: 4,861
Page 9 of 10
____________________________________________________
Press Release | Presseinformation | Communiqué de presse | Communicado de prensa
| Comunicato stampa | Пресс-релиз | Imprensa | Persbericht | Notatka prasowa
The systems reduce development time and costs substantially while offering much greater
flexibility in product development.
The high quality standards, level of experience and successful track record of Concept Laser
guarantee reliable and cost-effective solutions with proven performance in everyday production,
with a particular focus on unit cost reductions.
The art of LaserCUSING® by Concept Laser
Ideas for laser melting with metals in the following areas of application: automotive and
motor sports, aerospace, medical and dental technology, tool and mold construction and
machine engineering.
PR 8-2015
533564884
Words: 904 | Characters: 4,861
Page 10 of 10