Belfast-based Laser Prototypes Europe (LPE)(www.laserproto.com), a supplier of high-resolution metal-sintered steel parts, has expanded its services to include titanium components by installing an EOS M290 metal-sintering machine.

Titanium is used in a wide range of high-performance engineering applications in industries including aerospace and medical.

Combining excellent mechanical properties and corrosion-resistance with low specific weight, it is suitable for precision parts that require thin walls and parts with complex geometry.

Tom Walls, LPE’s managing director, said: “This is a massive step forward for LPE in terms of our expansion into the metal-sintering market.

“The substantial value of this investment demonstrates our commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation in this fast-moving industry.

“Metal sintering greatly reduces lead times and financial costs compared to traditional manufacturing of components. It allows our customers the freedom to design efficient lightweight parts, and it offers an ideal solution for the cost-effective production of prototypes or final production components, regardless of the complexity of design.”