PTC installs EOS P3 NEXT and explores lightweight construction potential with polymer SLS

The Digital Physical Research Center of PTC Ltd. in Haifa has installed Israel’s first EOS P3 NEXT polymer SLS system. The system, manufactured by EOS, will be used to research polymer-based additive manufacturing for applications in the aerospace industry. The focus is on components in which metal can be replaced by suitable plastics in order to reduce weight, shorten delivery times, and enable more flexible, demand-driven production.

The PTC research team plans to use the system to investigate polymer components suitable for series production that meet the performance and certification requirements of the aviation industry. The aim is to identify specific use cases in which modern SLS materials can replace metal components without compromising strength or reliability. The reproducibility of the processes plays a central role here, as the results should be transferable to subsequent series production.

The P3 NEXT platform was introduced at the end of 2024 and, according to the manufacturer, combines new hardware and software functions. EOS states that this can increase machine utilization to up to 90 percent and, depending on the powder, enable material reuse of up to 80 percent. According to the company, this results in a reduction in total operating costs of up to 30 percent. An integrated nitrogen generator enables continuous operation, while a more compact design and an integrated monitoring interface reduce the space requirements compared to the previous model, the EOS P 396.

The material side is also part of the research. Among other things, EOS provides Alumide for the system, a composite material made of polyamide and aluminum particles that is suitable for rigid and lightweight components. In addition, materials from EOS’s sister company Advanced Laser Materials are used, including ALM PA 950 HD and PA 2220 HighReuse, which are designed for high recyclability and consistent properties over multiple build cycles.

With the installation of the P3 NEXT, PTC joins a growing number of research and manufacturing centers testing polymer SLS for certifiable aerospace applications. In Haifa, processes will be validated, materials qualified, and systems integrated into existing manufacturing workflows to explore the limits of this technology in an industrial context.