Eplus3D announces a new Metal PBF machine at Formnext 2026: focus on beam shaping and copper processing
The Chinese company Eplus3D has confirmed its presence at Formnext 2026, the international additive manufacturing trade fair scheduled in Frankfurt from 17 to 20 November. At stand E101 in hall 12.0, the company will preview a new metal powder bed fusion (Metal PBF) system, but without yet disclosing the complete technical specifications.
The public press release dates back to 29 October, while a press invitation dated 5 November added the promise of a preview presentation. At present, information is missing on the commercial name, build volume, number and power of lasers, deposition speed and commercial terms.
- Eplus3D presents a new Metal PBF system at Formnext 2026 (17-20 November, Frankfurt)
- Technical specifications not yet disclosed: this is an announced preview, not a complete technical data sheet
- Focus on beam shaping and processing of copper and copper alloys
- Multi-laser architectures for large-format production
Beam shaping: modifying the laser's energy profile
The control of the spatial distribution of laser energy represents one of the most relevant process variables in metal powder fusion.
Beam shaping makes it possible to modify the spatial distribution of the laser beam energy on the powder surface. In conventional systems, the intensity profile approximately follows a Gaussian distribution: energy is maximum at the center of the spot and decreases toward the periphery.
A different distribution, designed according to the material and scanning strategy, can influence the thermal gradient, the geometry of the melt pool, material dragging, spatter formation, and melting stability.
There is no single optimal profile for all metals: behavior changes with optical absorption, thermal conductivity, layer thickness, spot size, speed, and power.
The data presented in March 2026
Eplus3D had already published internal results on beam shaping for Metal PBF systems in March 2026, before the Formnext announcement.
On March 12, 2026, the company had released a technical announcement about its beam shaping system. The material indicated, as expected or internally detected benefits, a reduction in spatter, a widening of the process window, an increase in the keyhole formation threshold, and greater uniformity of the melt pool width.
These are manufacturer claims. Without a complete experimental protocol, comparable samples, raw data, and independent analyses, it is not possible to translate them into generalizable percentages.
Multi-laser architectures and large-format production
The new system focuses on configurations with many laser sources, which require control of overlaps and thermal uniformity.
The press release refers to “large-format metal production” and multi-laser architectures. These configurations make it possible to increase productivity by distributing the melting work across multiple simultaneous sources.
The technical challenges include controlling overlaps between adjacent scanning zones, thermal uniformity across the entire platform, and synchronization of the optical movement systems.
Copper processing: applications and critical issues
Copper and its alloys are strategic materials for thermal and electrical applications, but they present specific critical issues in laser melting.
Copper appears among the materials of interest for the new system. Copper alloys find application in regeneratively cooled combustion chambers, heat exchangers, and high-conductivity electrical components.
Processing pure copper via Metal PBF presents difficulties related to the high reflectivity at the wavelengths of conventional fiber lasers (1064 nm) and the high thermal conductivity, which requires high energy densities to achieve complete melting.
| Characteristic | Pure copper | Copper alloys |
|---|---|---|
| Reflectivity at 1064 nm | Very high | Low |
| Thermal conductivity | ~400 W/m·K | Variable (150-300 W/m·K) |
| Required energy density | High | Moderate |
Preview or launch? The distinction matters
The difference between a preview announcement and the disclosure of complete technical specifications is significant in the pre-trade-show period.
Eplus3D announced a “preview presentation” but has not yet provided comparable engineering documentation. This distinction is particularly useful when a press invitation precedes the actual technical documentation by several days.
Industry operators will have to wait for Formnext to verify whether the company will disclose complete data on build volume, laser configuration, certified deposition rates, and material qualification protocols.
Appointment in November
Formnext 2026 confirms itself as the main event for innovations in industrial additive manufacturing. Eplus3D’s presence with a new Metal PBF system, even though it still lacks public specifications, signals market interest in multi-laser architectures, advanced beam control, and high thermal conductivity materials.
Validation of the announced performance will require independent comparisons, qualification tests, and verified industrial applications beyond trade-show demonstrations.
article written with the help of artificial intelligence systems
Q&A
When and where will the presentation of Eplus3D's new Metal PBF take place?
The presentation will take place at Formnext 2026, scheduled in Frankfurt from November 17 to 20. Eplus3D will exhibit at booth E101 in hall 12.0.
What technical specifications have been announced for the new Metal PBF machine?
No complete technical specifications have been disclosed at this time. Information is missing on the commercial name, build volume, number and power of lasers, deposition rate, and commercial terms.
Which materials does the focus of the new machine center on?
The focus is on processing copper and copper alloys, as well as on beam shaping. The company also aims at multi-laser architectures for large-format production.
What is beam shaping and why is it important in Metal PBF?
Beam shaping modifies the spatial distribution of laser energy on the powder, compared to the conventional Gaussian profile. It can influence thermal gradient, melt pool geometry, spatter, and melting stability.
What results had Eplus3D published on beam shaping in March 2026?
On March 12, 2026, Eplus3D had released a technical announcement indicating benefits such as reduced spatter, widened process window, increased keyhole threshold, and greater melt pool uniformity. These are manufacturer claims, without a complete experimental protocol.
