EOS and Cookson Precious Metals to introduce Additive Manufacturing to the precious metals, jewellery and watch industries
June 19, 2012
EOS, a market leader in the supply of machines, software and consumables for additive manufacturing (AM) applications, and Cookson Precious Metals (CPM), an established worldwide supplier to the precious metal industries, have signed a strategic development partnership.
Under the agreement, both companies will introduce and further develop precious metal-based applications for the jewellery and watch industry. The products and services offered will range from the production of precious metal parts, through consulting for a direct metal laser-sintering (DMLS)-driven design and e-manufacturing process, to the development and production of special precious metal alloys and the installation of a bespoke solution chain for high volume jewellery production.
Items of jewellery created
using DMLS AM technology
from EOS
Initially, CPM will offer AM capacity enabling production of designs from 18 ct yellow gold (3N colour). As a leading supplier of fabricated precious metals, primarily gold, silver and platinum, CPM has a reputation for high quality products and services, as well as for developing a close working relationship with customers. The company is able to supply fair-trade gold and its own Ecogold guarantees to customers that the gold has come from a recycled source. This utilises above-ground stocks of recycled gold instead of using new metal from mines, extraction of which can be ecologically damaging.
Moreover, CPM is the UK’s largest one-stop shop for the jewellery maker with over 12,000 products including a large stock of silver, gold, palladium and platinum bullion cut to customer requirements (sheet, wire, tube, solder, grain, settings) as well as ranges of findings, loose and finished chain, gemstones, ring blanks, jewellery making tools, silver clay and beading materials.
Dr Adrian Keppler, Executive Vice President Strategy and Business Development at EOS stated, “With CPM we have found a perfect partner to introduce our innovative and paradigm shifting technology to the luxury goods industry.”
“We truly believe that our AM process offers huge potential for these industries and a freedom of design that they have long been searching for.”
“The most demanding jewellery brands can now create entirely new products and geometries that meet their high quality requirements. The technology challenges designers’ imagination and pushes it to the next level. These designs could not be achieved by a goldsmith’s handicraft or conventional manufacturing methods.”
Stella Layton, Global Vice President at Cookson Precious Metals commented, “With EOS, we join forces with the market and quality leader in AM.”
“Using the company’s technology, 3D bespoke jewellery and watch components can be created from CAD files. This takes us on an exciting journey, permitting the creation of highly complex and intricate designs that weren’t thinkable before.”
“The particular beauty of this technology is that it can be used for both one-off pieces as well as large scale production, eliminating many process steps and tooling costs we see today.”
Both EOS and CPM envisage customised e-manufacturing solutions that will change the economics of making jewellery and watches in precious metal. The technology lowers the general costs of entry into the business. As such, e-manufacturing with DMLS enables designers to produce pieces that are not limited by the boundaries of conventional production techniques.
About Cookson Precious Metals
CPM is a leading supplier of fabricated precious metals in Europe, a supplier of gold, silver, platinum and palladium alloys, wire, sheet, tubing, coin blanks and casting grain. The company is also a major precious metals refiner with London Bullion Market Association good delivery status.
www.cookson-emanufacturing.com
About EOS
Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Germany, EOS is the technology and market leader for design-driven, integrated e-Manufacturing solutions for industrial applications. EOS offers a modular solution portfolio including systems, software and materials and its further development. The portfolio is completed by services like maintenance, training, and specific application consulting and support.
www.eos.info
