Cookson Precious Metals presents prototype of PRECIOUS M 080 additive Manufacturing (AM) system in Hongkong

Cookson Precious Metals (CPM), worldwide established supplier for the precious metal industry, for the first time is present at the Asia-World Expo 2012 in Hong Kong, hall 11, Stand 11V28. At this show, CPM showcases a prototype of a small Additive Manufacturing (AM) metal system called PRECIOUS M 080 designed around the needs of the international watch and jewellery industry. Stella Layton, CEO of Cookson Precious Metals states: “For this technology, we have joined forces with EOS, market leader for design-driven, integrated e-manufacturing solutions for Additive Manufacturing (AM) applications. With this 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 Additive Manufacturing is that it can be used to produce both one-off pieces as well as large scale production eliminating many process steps and tooling costs that we see today. This technology is affordable, compact and provides a trend-setting manufacturing solution to the watch and jewellery industry.”

Asia-World Expo is one of the most prestigious shows in the precious metal industry worldwide. Here, CPM meets companies from all over the world who travel to this innovations and technology hub in search of ‘what’s new’. This is the new manufacturing process of tomorrow, available today. As a leading supplier of fabricated precious metals – primarily gold, silver, palladium and platinum – Cookson Precious Metals has a reputation for high quality products and services, as well as for developing a close working relationship with customers. Although European based CPM supplies the global precious metals market place, and is driving growth through digital selling via its internet sites.

Just recently, CPM signed a strategic development partnership with EOS. Under this agreement, both companies introduce and further develop precious metal-based applications to the jewellery and watch industry. Product and services offerings will range from the production of precious metal parts to consulting for a Direct Metal Laser-Sintering (DMLS)-driven design process, the development and production of special precious metal alloys and the installation of a bespoke solution chain for high volume jewellery production. To begin with, CPM offers AM capacities enabling a production of designs made of 18 ct yellow gold (3N colour).

Dr. Adrian Keppler, Executive Vice President Strategy and Business Development at EOS states: “With CPM we 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 a huge potential for these industries. Compared to conventional manufacturing techniques it paves the way for a completely new approach towards design and manufacturing. This is what we call ‘Design-driven manufacturing’. The technology offers a freedom of design the industry has long been searching for. The most demanding jewellery brands can now create entirely new products and geometries that still meet their high quality requirements. The technology challenges designer’s imagination and pushes it to the next level.”

Both EOS and CPM envision customized e-manufacturing solutions that will change the economics of making jewellery or watches. The technology time lowers the general costs of entry into the business of making quality jewellery and watch parts in precious metal. As such, e-manufacturing with DMLS enables designers to produce pieces that do not have to deal with the boundaries of conventional production techniques.

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. Cookson is also a major precious metals refiner with London Bullion Market Association good delivery status. For more information visit www.cookson-emanufacturing.com.