The EOS P385 system is suitable for larger parts which require function as well as form. It builds with a polyamide powder which is melted layer by layer. The parts are fully functional and because it is a powder based system it requires no support structure, which means you can create more intricate and finer parts. The build envelope is 320mm x 320mm x 640mm.

Two Z-corp three dimensional printers use a plaster based material bonded with glue. They are more suitable for producing objects for aesthetic rather than functional purposes, but they can be infiltrated to increase their strength.

The Z-corp Spectrum 510 can print parts in full colour and offers a quick and economical way to visualise your CAD models and prototypes. The build volume of the Z-corp is 254mm x 356mm x 203mm.

The Envisiontec Perfactory uses a photo-polymer resin cured with a light. It has a small build volume but a very high resolution. With a build envelope of 45mm x 34mm x 230mm it can build in detail as small as 32µm in the x/y plane and 15µm in the z. The build volume can be increased to 84mm x 63mm x 230mm but the detail size would increase to 60µm in the x/y plane.

This machine is ideal for applications where ultra fine detail is required such as jewellery design or micro manufacturing.

The EOS M270 machine works on a similar principle to the SLS machine but rather than using a polyamide powder it can build in a variety of metals. Currently we can build in a bronze alloy, steel, stainless steel and cobalt chrome.

These can be used for tooling, prototyping, direct manufacture of complex metal parts, and with the cobalt chrome, medical implants. The process is very adaptable so it is constantly being used in new materials, with more to be announced soon. The build envelope is 250mm x 250mm x 215mm.