Case Study: KSB achieves nine-week impeller production with EOS additive manufacturing

KSB delivers 14 impeller blanks in 9 weeks with EOS GmbH

KSB, a leading global manufacturer of pumps and valves, faced a challenge when a customer needed 14 impellers for a pump overhaul. The conventional casting process had a lead time of six to eight months, which was too long for the operator. KSB needed a faster solution that could still meet the stringent requirements for mechanical performance and seawater corrosion resistance in an oil and gas application. They turned to vendor EOS GmbH for a solution.

Using an EOS M 400-4 3D printing system, KSB produced the 14 large impeller blanks from seawater-resistant Alloy 625. The qualified additive manufacturing process provided improved material properties and geometric accuracy compared to casting. EOS GmbH's technology enabled KSB to complete and deliver all 14 parts in just nine weeks, a drastic reduction from the expected multi-month wait. This successful project not only met the immediate customer need but also resulted in a follow-up order.

KSB