EOS and Dunlee join forces to ramp up anti-scatter grid production in response to the novel coronavirus

CT imaging has emerged as a valuable weapon in the war against the novel coronavirus, because of the modality's ability to detect the "ground glass" white spots in the lungs that are a sign of COVID-19. To support patient access to CT exams, Dunlee has increased 3D printing of tungsten anti-scatter grids, which are an important component of quality CT systems. With a thickness of only 100 microns, Dunlee anti-scatter grids significantly improve CT images by absorbing scatter radiation that can degrade image quality.1

EOS and Dunlee join forces

Partnership with EOS enables increased production


One factor in Dunlee's ability to keep pace with CT manufacturers' demand for the anti-scatter grids is its successful partnership with EOS, the world’s leading technology supplier for industrial 3D printing of metals and polymers. "For more than ten years, EOS has supported us in surmounting challenges," says Alexander Eitel, Head of Marketing & Business Development. "We knew we could rely on them as we ramped up production to meet the urgent need for anti-scatter grids."
Adrian Keppler, Managing Director, EOS GmbH, credits his company's partnership with Dunlee for spurring EOS to excellence. "Dunlee's know-how and process capabilities continuously challenge us to stay on top of our game," he says. "Through this partnership, we learned once again that the application and its material requirements drive the broader development of our DMLS technology."

Repurposed printer joins others in 24/7 operation


Dunlee's factory, production staff, and research and development team also have ensured continued production and advancement of new projects. To increase capacity, EOS refurbished a 3D printer that originally printed gold products, and made it available to Dunlee for tungsten printing. That machine joins many others in Dunlee's dedicated 3D printing machine park. The park runs 24/7 and has doubled capacity year after year. Dunlee also has purchased additional printers that will be delivered in the second half of 2020, doubling capacity once more. In addition, EOS and Dunlee are working to optimize production hardware and software.

"Whenever you have an operation running around the clock, there will be some downtime," Eitel points out. "However, the local service team from EOS has quickly solved any concerns, and has even connected us with experts at EOS headquarters to resolve any problems as quickly as possible."

In addition to anti-scatter grids, Dunlee offers a broad portfolio of innovative components for CT systems, including reliable X-ray tubes, high voltage generators, detectors and product packages.


1. Altunbas, C., Kavanagh, B., Alexeev, T., & Miften, M. (2017). Transmission characteristics of a two-dimensional anti-scatter grid prototype for CBCT. Medical physics44(8), 3952-3964.

About EOS


EOS is the world's leading technology supplier in the field of industrial 3D printing of metals and polymers. Formed in 1989, the independent company is a pioneer and innovator for comprehensive solutions in additive manufacturing. Its product portfolio of EOS systems, materials, and process parameters gives customers crucial competitive advantages in terms of product quality and the long-term economic sustainability of their manufacturing processes. Furthermore, customers benefit from deep technical expertise in global service, applications engineering and consultancy.
www.eos.info

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About Dunlee

Dunlee is a brand of the Philips Company Group and distributes all products, solutions and services for the third-party imaging business. The product portfolio includes CT, MR and X-ray solutions for OEMs and 3D printed tungsten products.

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