Lichtenfels/Krailling/Ditzingen – Concept Laser GmbH, EOS GmbH (Electro Optical Systems), and Trumpf Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG have updated and extended their patent license agreement from 2006. The new agreement gives Concept Laser GmbH all license rights to sell LaserCUSING products worldwide, also retrospectively if necessary. The parties have agreed to keep details of the license agreement confidential.
In addition, Concept Laser and EOS have agreed to a cross-license that gives each party license rights to the current patent portfolio of the other party. The licenses also cover all products that customers of the parties manufacture or have manufactured on laser sintering or LaserCUSING systems. Under the cross-license agreement, Concept Laser and EOS also agreed to withdraw all patent opposition cases that were pending between them.
Concept Laser GmbH was founded in 2000 and is an independent company under the umbrella of Hofmann Innovation Group GmbH from Lichtenfels/Bavaria. Concept Laser GmbH develops and sells high-end laser fusing machines for processing metallic powder materials. As a generative manufacturing technique or laser additive manufacturing (AM), the LaserCUSING process is able to build up material only where it is needed for the component to function properly. Complex geometries such as lightweight structures or integrated functions can thus be produced easily. The LaserCUSING systems (see the M2 LaserCUSING machine above) are employed in the medical/dental, aerospace, automotive, and tool-making sectors and in the jewelry industry.
EOS focuses on design-driven, integrated e-manufacturing solutions for AM or "industrial 3D printing." EOS offers a modular solution portfolio including systems, software, materials and material development as well as services (maintenance, training, specific application consulting and support). As an industrial manufacturing process, AM allows the fast and flexible production of high-end parts based on 3D CAD data at a repeatable industry level of quality. As a disruptive technology, it paves the way for a paradigm shift in product design and manufacturing. It accelerates product development, offers freedom of design, optimizes part structures, and enables lattice structures as well as functional integration.
Trumpf is a global technology company with machine tools, laser technology, electronics and medical technology as its business fields. Products manufactured with the company's technology, including machine tools used in flexible sheet metal processing and industrial lasers, can be found in almost every sector of industry.