Desktop Metal, a global leader in additive manufacturing technologies for mass production, announced the launch of the X-Series line of binder jet 3D printers for metal and ceramic powders in a wide range of particle sizes. The X-series binder jet 3D printers actually originate from the ExOne line of printers. But through the acquisition of ExOne last year by Desktop Metal, its printers are now launched again with Desktop Metal’s build preparation and award-winning sintering simulation software applications. Additionally, Desktop Metal’s experienced global support team will now support the X-Series.
The patented Triple ACT — an advanced compaction technology for dispensing, spreading, and compacting powders during the binder jet printing process — allows the X-Series binder jet 3D printers to take a unique approach to binder jetting. This open material platform architecture can bind together a wide range of powders with D50 values ranging from 3 to 100 microns.
The Triple ACT system addresses three of the most difficult aspects of (1) creating a thin, uniform layer of metal powder for a print job, (2) dispensing, spreading and, (3) compacting fine powders.
X-Series Binder Jet 3D Printers
- InnoventX™, is a low-cost, entry-level binder jet system that is ideal for academic, R&D, and low-volume production,
- X25Pro™, with a build volume of 400 x 250 x 250 mm, is an accessible and productive mid-sized solution that is already being used for volume production around the world (15.75 x 9.84 x 9.84 in),
- The X160Pro™ is the world’s largest metal binder jet system, with an 800 x 500 x 400 mm build volume (31.5 x 19.7 x 15.8 in).
“Desktop Metal’s X-Series printers give customers more choices than ever when it comes to binder jet additive manufacturing. Our team is moving aggressively to drive additive manufacturing into mass production through a focused strategy of production-capable printers, high-performance materials, and key applications. Binder jetting is the key technology that enables all the benefits additive manufacturing has to offer at scale, from reduced waste to more efficient, lower-risk supply chains.”
– Ric Fulop, Desktop Metal Co-founder and CEO
Binder jetting is widely regarded as the fastest method of high-volume metal 3D printing. The process, which was first patented at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology by Ely Sachs, a professor of mechanical engineering and co-founder of Desktop Metal, prints digital part designs by depositing binder into a bed of metal, sand, ceramic, or wood particles using industrial inkjet printheads, creating batches of solid parts one thin layer at a time.
The X-Series printers consistently produce tight dimensional tolerances and densities of 97-99 percent or higher, matching or exceeding metal injection moulding or gravity castings. Directly out of the furnace, surface roughness values as low as 4 m (Ra) can be achieved.
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