EOS is preparing to unveil a new polymer 3D printing platform at Formnext 2026, and some customers have already evaluated the system before its public debut. Materialise, an additive manufacturing service provider, tested the soon-to-launch machine under real production conditions and reported 44% higher productivity than the previous EOS platform, along with a reduction of more than six minutes in build time per part.
The evaluation used the new EOS system to produce a cable twist wheel for GKN Aerospace. Materialise said the machine successfully printed the part, but the trial went beyond a printability check. The company also assessed reliability, the impact of new features, productivity and efficiency, usability and control, and how easily parts could be post-processed.
Three lasers and dynamic load balancing
EOS has not disclosed all technical details of the platform. The available information points to a three-laser architecture, intelligent utilization and dynamic load balancing. The load-balancing function is described as maximizing output per build by distributing exposure workload evenly, while the added laser capacity is intended to raise productivity. Giovanni Vleminckx, process engineering manager at Materialise, said the three lasers made a visible difference in performance and that their intelligent use helped achieve considerably higher throughput while maintaining the part quality customers expect.
Production results
In the cable twist wheel build, Materialise measured a 44% productivity gain compared with the previous machine. Build time per part fell from 19 minutes 53 seconds to 13 minutes 51 seconds. The service provider also noted downstream benefits from an advanced roller recoater that creates softer powder cakes. That feature makes it easier to depowder parts and reduces handling effort. Vleminckx called the soft powder cake a tangible improvement for operators, adding that parts are easier to unpack and depowder, which makes the overall workflow more efficient.
Process control and production fit
The new system also offers 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 what stood out was not one isolated feature but the overall performance of the system, which combines the productivity needed with the process stability and control required to bring demanding applications into production.
For Materialise, the improvements are significant because the company has high-throughput requirements and must adapt to different production applications. The gains cited by the service provider are tied to the three-laser architecture, the new roller recoater and the open process controls. EOS plans to present the polymer AM platform at Formnext 2026 from November 17 at its booth in hall 12, stand D71, where the company is expected to release full details.