EOS is preparing to introduce a new polymer 3D printing platform at Formnext 2026, and one early customer evaluation is already providing performance data. Materialise, an additive manufacturing service provider, tested the soon-to-launch system under real production conditions and recorded 44% higher productivity than with the previous EOS platform. Build time per part fell by more than six minutes, from 19:53 to 13:51.
The evaluation used the new EOS printer to produce a cable twist wheel for GKN Aerospace. Materialise said the machine successfully printed the component. The company also assessed reliability, the effect of new features, productivity and efficiency, usability and control, and the ease of post-processing. EOS has not released full technical details and plans to disclose them on November 17 at Formnext 2026.
Three lasers and workload balancing
According to the information available, the platform uses a three-laser architecture with intelligent utilization and dynamic load balancing. The load-balancing function is intended to maximize output per build by distributing exposure workload evenly, while the additional laser capacity supports higher productivity. Giovanni Vleminckx, process engineering manager at Materialise, said the three lasers made a visible difference in performance. He said their intelligent use helped the service achieve higher throughput while maintaining the part quality customers expect.
The system also provides extended process controls. Users can work with validated parameter sets or open them up for greater control and alignment with specific applications and key performance indicators. Vleminckx said the overall performance of the system stood out rather than one isolated feature. He said it combined the productivity Materialise needs with the process stability and control required for demanding production applications.
Downstream effects in depowdering
Materialise also observed benefits after printing. An advanced roller recoater produces softer powder cakes, which the service provider said makes it easier to depowder parts and reduces handling effort. Vleminckx described the softer powder cake as a tangible improvement for operators. Parts are easier to unpack and clean, making the overall workflow more efficient, according to his assessment.
Those characteristics matter for a manufacturing service with high-throughput requirements and a need to adapt to different production applications. The combination of three-laser operation, a new roller recoater and open process controls is positioned as a way to raise output without sacrificing process stability. Materialise’s evaluation indicates that the platform can print a customer part and deliver measurable time savings, though full specifications and all details of the platform have not yet been released.
EOS plans to show the polymer AM platform in person from November 17 at Formnext 2026 at its booth in hall 12, booth D71.