CEAD BEAD — Technical data

BEAD is a hybrid system that CEAD developed together with the Italian machine tool builder Belotti and presented in April 2021. A pellet extruder and a milling spindle sit on a large gantry, so a part is first printed near net shape and then milled to size in the same set-up. The system is built to customer specification: the axes range from 6 to 50 m in X, 2.6 to 11 m in Y and 1.5 to 5 m in Z. The extruder delivers 12 to 80 kg per hour at up to 400 °C.

A used BEAD is a job for specialists, because dismantling, transporting and re-erecting a gantry of this size requires a foundation, crane and survey at the new site. Axis lengths, spindle power, number of tool positions and the fitted extruder should be documented in advance. Check the gantry guides and drives, spindle hours, screw and heating zones of the extruder, and the Sinumerik control with its licences. It is often also unclear whether Belotti or CEAD provides service and who re-certifies milling accuracy after the move.