Arcam EBM S12

The Arcam EBM S12 is an EBM 3D printer from Arcam with a 200 x 200 x 180 mm build volume.

Specifications

Arcam EBM S12: Technical Profile

Technology

EBM (Electron Beam Melting) is a powder bed fusion process that uses a focused electron beam to selectively melt metal powder in a high vacuum (~10⁻⁴ mbar). Unlike SLM/LPBF (laser melting in inert gas), EBM operates entirely without gas: the vacuum prevents beam scattering and protects reactive metals such as titanium from oxygen contamination.

Electron Beam

The S12 uses a 3.5 kW electron gun with a tungsten filament cathode and ~60 kV accelerating voltage. The beam is deflected by magnetic coils (no moving parts in the optical system). Scan speed exceeds 1,000 m/s: significantly faster than SLM galvanometer scanners (~10–18 m/s).

Calibration

Arcam EBM S12 Calibration

• Vacuum preparation: pump the build chamber down to <5 × 10⁻⁴ mbar; EBM requires true high vacuum (not inert gas as in SLM). Expected result: stable pressure; no leak detection. Tip: electromagnetic interference from building infrastructure (transformers, lifts) deflects the electron beam: position the machine away from heavy electrical equipment.
• Powder bed preheating: run the pre-sinter heating cycle before the main build.

Common defects

Common EBM S12 Defects

Smoke Event (explosive powder scattering)

The most dramatic and hazardous EBM-specific defect: insufficiently preheated powder builds up electrostatic charge and explosively scatters when hit by the beam. The entire chamber is contaminated and the build must be aborted. Fix: strict adherence to the preheat protocol.

Porosity

Caused by unoptimised beam parameters (power, speed, hatch spacing).

What it is used for

Arcam EBM S12 Use Cases

Historical context and current reality:

The S12 is a discontinued model available only on the secondary market (units from 2003–2006). Practical applications today are limited to educational and research institutions with an existing installation.

Historically best-fit applications (2002–2010):.