The EOS rapid prototyping concept

Abstract The EOS rapid prototyping concept and technological state-of-the-art was presented at the Solid Freeform Manufacturing congress in Dresden in September 1994. Here the concept is discussed in more detail and the technological aspects are updated, in line with the rapid rate of development in this field. First the principle of layer manufacturing techniques (LMT) is defined and their role within the concept of rapid prototyping (RP) is explained. The individual elements of the EOS rapid prototyping concept (optical digitization, stereolithography and laser-sintering) are explained in turn, in each case with both a technical description and a discussion of the applications. A number of new developments in LMT building strategies and materials are reported, including direct sintering of metal powder.