EOS has launched its Digital Foam Architects network, designed to accelerate the development and additive manufacturing (AM) of consumer, medical, and industrial products featuring Digital Foam applications. Founding members include EOS, Arkema, General Lattice, and DyeMansion.

Digital Foam breathes new life into mature products while also creating entirely new product offerings, from athletic shoes to orthotics, protective gear, and medical products. Manufacturers can “dial in” exactly the performance or features they need to deliver product differentiation as well as provide mass-customized product offerings.

Digital Foam applications typically have complex requirements, requiring multiple disciplines to ensure success. The Digital Foam Architects network formalizes a standing alliance of AM experts ready to bring ideas to production — design software, materials, and the various AM hardware elements, from printing to post-processing and colorization.

“Digital Foam applications can be designed and produced with tailored features for performance, protection and lightweighting,” said Jon Walker, Digital Foam spokesperson for EOS. “But Digital Foam is not a product, rather it is an approach to 3D printing foam-like products. The Digital Foam Architects network is another chapter in the maturation of this approach by coalescing the required AM expertise. We are very pleased to announce our first commitments to this network of experts.”

“Arkema is committed to supporting new additive manufacturing application development through more sustainable material solutions,” said Adrien Lapeyre, director of Arkema 3D printing program. “In collaboration with EOS, we continue to push the boundaries on what is feasible in 3D printing by combining strong enablers, such as Digital Foam, and new materials, such as Pebax elastomers. We look forward to the growth of Digital Foam and we will continue to play an active role in this program.”

Underpinning Digital Foam is the EOS patent relating to any generatively 3D printed object which has a flexible grid-like structure or matrix (lattice), composed of open cells that are joined together in groups of differing characteristics. Described in basic terms, this covers any varying 3D printed lattice structures morphing into each other.

The network will expand its partners as Digital Foam continues to be leveraged as an additively manufactured flexible lattice solution. For more information on the Digital Foam Architects Network or becoming a potential network partner, contact Jon Walker, government relations and key accounts manager.

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