Sciaky Inc., a subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries, is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing (EBAM) technology. Over the past two and a half decades, EBAM has transformed the additive manufacturing industry by revolutionizing large-scale metal part creation with unmatched speed, precision, and cost-effectiveness.
The development of EBAM began in 1997 when Sciaky began to investigate a new manufacturing process using an electron beam welder and wire as raw material. Formal development began in 1998 with the addition of process-designed optical systems. The technology, now known as EBAM, became commercially available 10 years later.
EBAM uses a high-powered electron beam to fuse metal wire layer by layer, enabling rapid fabrication of parts up to 6.35m x 2m x 1.8m in size, at deposition rates of up to 18kg. metal per hour This remarkable speed has made EBAM a turning point for industries such as aerospace, defense, oil and gas, and automotive.
The technology offers numerous benefits to manufacturers, including reduced material waste, shorter lead times, and greater design flexibility. By using wire as raw material instead of powder, EBAM minimizes waste and costs, leading to significant savings. The ability to make nearly net-shaped parts reduces the need for expensive post-processing and machining, optimizing production time and costs.
EBAM has enabled manufacturers to create complex geometries and lightweight designs that were previously unachievable. It has been harnessed by renowned organizations such as Lockheed Martin, Airbus, and the US Military to produce high-quality parts on a large scale with exceptional precision, speed, and reduced production costs.
As Sciaky celebrates this milestone, the company remains committed to advancing the field of additive manufacturing. Its dedicated team of engineers and researchers continues to explore new materials, improve deposition rates, and expand the size of building envelopes to meet the demands of the evolving industry.
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