Desktop Metal Announces Release Of Binder Jet 3D Printing Upgrade To Manufacture Reactive Metal Parts, including Titanium And Aluminum

Author: Benzinga Newsdesk | May 08, 2024 08:07am

• First launched in 2020, the Production System P-1 metal binder jet 3D printer will now be offered with a Reactive Safety Kit that unlocks high-speed production of ultra-fine titanium and aluminum powders with critical safety features
• The P-1 uses Desktop Metal's patent-pending, high-speed Single Pass Jetting™ (SPJ) technology in an inert environment and can complete each part layer in less than 3 seconds, depending on material, with full builds printable in less than one hour
• The P-1 is ideal for R&D scaling to full production on large binder jet systems and batch or serial production of small, complex parts
• Detroit-based TriTech Titanium Parts, an experienced manufacturer of titanium parts for the commercial and industrial markets, has been testing the P-1 with a Reactive Safety Kit for two years and is now printing both titanium and aluminum parts
• DM currently has contracts with six major manufacturers — four in the automotive industry, one in commercial lighting and another medical implant firm — to scale titanium and aluminum projects, with an eye on serial production of complex components
• Large aluminum parts are now being 3D printed for highly qualified customers at DM's Burlington Headquarters using an upgraded X25Pro with a 25-liter build volume
• The Desktop Metal Production System P-1, as well as an array of printed titanium and aluminum parts, will be on display June 25-27 at RAPID + TCT at the Los Angeles Convention Center

Desktop Metal (NYSE:DM), a global leader in Additive Manufacturing 2.0 technologies for mass production, today announced the launch of a Reactive Safety Kit for the Production System P-1 — unlocking safe, high-speed binder jet 3D printing of both titanium and aluminum.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508787852/en/

 

In development and testing for more than two years, the P-1 Reactive Safety Kit features ATEX-rated components, as well as critical hardware and software updates to ensure the highest level of safety. ATEX certification is given to equipment that has undergone rigorous testing outlined by European Union directives and is considered safe to use in specific environments with explosive atmospheres.

"Titanium and aluminum are two of the most frequently requested materials at Desktop Metal, and we're proud to say that we can now offer a commercial 3D printer with the necessary safety features to binder jet 3D print these materials," said Ric Fulop, Founder and CEO of Desktop Metal. "Based on our ongoing projects with major manufacturers, we know our technology is well on its way to unlocking new designs that deliver higher performance, weight reductions, and other benefits – all with our high-speed 3D printing technology that makes Additive Manufacturing more affordable for production volumes. We are diligently following our roadmap to deliver high-volume production of these materials on our largest printers in the future."

A number of DM customers are already binder jetting titanium and aluminum today. "Our team at TriTech has found binder jetting to be a good complement to our metal injection molding (MIM) business," said Robert Swenson, owner of TriTech and also the former owner of AmeriTi. Swenson is a graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Metallurgical Engineering and an MBA from Harvard Business School. "With binder jet 3D printing, titanium production of even the most complex geometries can be greatly simplified and achieved at a lower cost. We're excited to offer this cutting-edge manufacturing technology to our customers."

Additionally, Desktop Metal has several significant projects in development with major manufacturers using a variety of specialty materials developed by Kymera International, including titanium and aluminum. "Since formalizing our partnership in 2021 through a Joint Development Agreement, we have been excited to work closely with Desktop Metal to develop a range of metal powder solutions optimized for the binder jetting process," said Joe Croteau, Technology Manager – Specialty Materials with Kymera. A leading global supplier of specialty materials and surface technologies, Kymera International has contributed decades of metallurgical expertise and process knowledge to offer sintered aluminum alloys with excellent performance. "Kymera's well-established relationships with a diverse group of customers has given us the opportunity to focus on the needs of high-volume manufacturers, and we are proud to now have a commercially established solution. Over the past two years, we've successfully printed a variety of aluminum geometries and part sizes through multiple programs."

The Desktop Metal Production System P-1, as well as an array of titanium and aluminum designs, including those 3D printed by TriTech, will be on display June 25-27 at RAPID + TCT at the Los Angeles Convention Center. DM will be located in Booth No. 2139.

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