GE Additive Metal Additive Manufacturing

GE Additive Arcam EBM Q10plus

$700,000 - $900,000 Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

build volume

Ø200 x 180 mm (7.9 in diameter x 7.1 in height)

technology

Electron Beam Melting (EBM)

beam source

Electron beam, up to 3,000 W

scan speed

Up to 8,000 m/s (multi-beam capability)

layer thickness

50 - 200 µm (material dependent)

chamber environment

High vacuum — no inert gas required

Overview

The GE Additive Arcam EBM Q10plus is the leading electron beam melting (EBM) system for titanium and cobalt-chrome medical implant production, representing the core of GE Additive's Arcam EBM platform that it acquired from Swedish company Arcam AB in 2016. EBM is fundamentally different from laser powder bed fusion: instead of a laser, a high-powered electron beam (up to 3 kW) melts metal powder in a high-vacuum environment, which eliminates oxidation of reactive metals without inert gas, enables a preheated powder bed that reduces residual stress, and allows higher beam scan speeds than achievable with a laser. The Q10plus features a 200 mm diameter build envelope optimized for the round platforms used in hip and knee implant production.

The EBM process is particularly well-suited for titanium alloys (Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-6Al-4V ELI) and cobalt-chrome (CoCrMo) — the two dominant materials in orthopedic implant manufacturing. The high-vacuum environment prevents oxygen and nitrogen contamination of reactive titanium without the argon gas costs of LPBF, and the preheated powder bed (typically 600-700°C for titanium) significantly reduces residual stress and eliminates the need for dense support structures. Finished EBM titanium parts can be used in as-built or HIP (hot isostatic pressed) condition with mechanical properties that meet or exceed ASTM F136 for implant-grade Ti-6Al-4V ELI.

The Q10plus is designed around the implant manufacturing workflow, with a 200 mm diameter build platform that accommodates multiple hip cups, femoral stems, or spinal implants per build cycle. Build height is 180 mm. The system uses Arcam's xQam electron beam control system for beam quality monitoring and the LayerQam camera system for layer-by-layer powder bed inspection — critical for regulated medical device manufacturing requiring process traceability. Multiple Q10plus systems are operated by orthopedic OEMs including Stryker, DePuy Synthes, and Exactech for commercial implant production.

The Q10plus is priced in the $700,000-$900,000 range, comparable to mid-range LPBF systems but offering unique capabilities for titanium and cobalt-chrome that LPBF cannot fully match in residual stress and process stability for thick, solid implant geometries. GE Additive also offers the larger EBM Q20plus (350 mm diameter) for aerospace and turbine blade applications where the larger format and EBM's ability to process gamma-TiAl and Inconel 718 at elevated temperatures is the key differentiator.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Build Volume	Ø200 x 180 mm (7.9 in diameter x 7.1 in height)
Technology	Electron Beam Melting (EBM)
Beam Source	Electron beam, up to 3,000 W
Scan Speed	Up to 8,000 m/s (multi-beam capability)
Layer Thickness	50 - 200 µm (material dependent)
Chamber Environment	High vacuum — no inert gas required
Build Temperature	600 - 700°C (preheat, Ti-6Al-4V)
Materials	Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-6Al-4V ELI, CoCrMo (cobalt-chrome), Titanium Grade 2
Part Density	>99.9% (Ti-6Al-4V, production conditions)
Process Monitoring	xQam beam control + LayerQam powder bed camera
Power Requirements	3-phase, up to 15 kVA
Machine Dimensions	1,850 x 900 x 2,200 mm
Tish53	GFW655SSVWW

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

High-vacuum environment eliminates inert gas costs and enables contamination-free processing of reactive titanium and cobalt-chrome without argon infrastructure
Preheated powder bed (600-700°C) dramatically reduces residual stress versus LPBF — thick implant sections are produced without the warping and cracking risk of laser-processed titanium
Multi-beam capability at up to 8,000 m/s scan speed delivers throughput for orthopedic implant production that LPBF cannot match for solid, dense geometries
Established production track record in FDA-regulated medical device manufacturing — multiple orthopedic OEMs run Q10plus at commercial implant scale

Limitations

Build volume (Ø200mm) is smaller than most LPBF systems and restricts part size — larger aerospace applications require the EBM Q20plus platform
High-vacuum chamber requires more complex and time-consuming build setup than LPBF inert gas systems, reducing production flexibility for rapid turnaround jobs
Material library is narrower than LPBF — limited to titanium alloys and cobalt-chrome; does not support stainless steel, Inconel, or aluminum that LPBF handles routinely

Best For

Orthopedic implant manufacturers producing Ti-6Al-4V ELI hip cups, femoral stems, acetabular components, and spinal implants requiring FDA process compliance and ASTM F136 properties Cobalt-chrome implant producers (CoCrMo knee and hip components) where EBM's elevated build temperature and vacuum environment provide superior metallurgical consistency Aerospace suppliers processing gamma-TiAl and titanium structural components for gas turbine and airframe applications where EBM's minimal residual stress is critical Medical device OEMs with existing Arcam EBM fleets (Stryker, DePuy Synthes) standardizing on GE Additive's Q10plus for validated implant production processes

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the difference between EBM and LPBF for titanium?

Both EBM (electron beam melting) and LPBF (laser powder bed fusion) produce dense titanium parts, but the process physics differ significantly. EBM operates in high vacuum with a preheated powder bed at 600-700°C, virtually eliminating residual stress and oxidation. LPBF operates in inert gas (argon) at room temperature, resulting in higher residual stress requiring stress-relief heat treatment. EBM parts typically require no stress relief, can be used near-as-built, and avoid the oxygen pickup risk of LPBF. LPBF offers more alloy options, better surface finish, and higher geometric detail resolution.

02 What medical implants are produced on the Arcam EBM Q10plus?

The Q10plus is used in commercial production of titanium hip cups (acetabular shells), femoral stems, spinal implants (cages, interbody devices), and tibial trays by orthopedic OEMs including Stryker, DePuy Synthes, and Exactech. The 200mm round build platform is sized to maximize implant yield per build cycle for these standard orthopedic geometries. Cobalt-chrome knee components are also produced on the Q10plus at multiple manufacturers.

03 Does the Arcam EBM Q10plus require argon gas?

No — EBM operates in high vacuum, not inert gas. This is a significant operational advantage for titanium processing: high vacuum provides better oxidation protection than argon atmosphere used in LPBF, eliminates the ongoing argon gas cost of LPBF operation, and removes the gas supply infrastructure requirement. The tradeoff is a more complex vacuum pump system and longer pump-down time before each build.

04 What is the GE Additive Arcam Q10plus price?

The Q10plus is typically priced at $700,000 to $900,000 depending on configuration and options. Annual service contracts for EBM systems are typically $80,000-$120,000 given the specialized electron beam technology. Electron beam cathode replacement is a periodic consumable cost. For medical device OEMs, the total cost of validation, process qualification, and regulatory filing must be added to the capital equipment cost when evaluating ROI versus outsourcing.

05 How does the Arcam Q10plus compare to the EBM Q20plus?

The Q10plus has a Ø200mm build platform optimized for orthopedic implant production. The Q20plus has a Ø350mm build platform designed for larger aerospace components — turbine blades, structural airframe parts, and gamma-TiAl intermetallics that require EBM's elevated temperature capability. Both share the same core EBM physics but are sized for different industries. Most medical device manufacturers standardize on Q10plus; aerospace and defense customers typically evaluate Q20plus.