3D Systems launches two new metal 3D printers

Building on the success of its proven scalable metal additive manufacturing systems - including the recent announcement of the DMP Factory 500 developed in partnership with GF Machining Solutions - the new DMP Flex 350 and DMP Factory 350 provide a strategic migration path that enables customers to grow their business by transforming the way they design and manufacture parts. The DMP Flex 350 and DMP Factory 350 are engineered for robust, repeatable 24/7 metal part production for R&D, application development and production. 3D Systems' DMP platform design enables customers to scale from the DMP Flex 350 to the DMP Factory 350 as their production needs evolve within their factory environment.

The DMP Flex 350 - the successor to 3D Systems' ProX DMP 320 metal 3D printer - enables more efficient production of very dense, pure metal parts and includes improved gas flow technology for improved uniform part quality across the entire build area. Additionally, the DMP Flex 350's improved print productivity of 15 per cent over previous model facilitates faster time to market with lower total cost of operation.

For enhanced ease-of-use for demanding production environments, the DMP Flex 350 can be field upgraded to the DMP Factory 350. The DMP Factory 350 combines the same features and advantages of the DMP Flex 350 with integrated powder management. An in-unit viewing panel enables visual inspection of the ultrasonic sieve to ensure incident-free operation. The DMP Factory 350 includes real-time process monitoring via 3D Systems' DMP Monitoring and allows customers to analyse and optimise parameters for higher quality final parts. Both the DMP Flex 350 and DMP Factory 350 are integrated with 3D Systems' 3DXpert 14, the only all-in-one integrated software system for the entire metal additive manufacturing workflow.

The DMP Flex 350 and DMP Factory 350 have a targeted availability of late Q4 2018. The starting price for a DMP Flex 350 is USD575,000 (US)/EUR504.528 (EU countries), and USD763,000 (US)/EUR669.487 (EU Countries) for a DMP Factory 350.

DMP 350 platform gaining early traction

Sharon Tuvia (1982) Ltd (Nes Ziona, Israel), a full-service provider of precision metal parts, using both subtractive and additive manufacturing methods, intends to use the DMP Flex 350 to produce topology-optimised brackets for aerospace companies as well as parts for commercial satellites. One of the primary reasons Sharon Tuvia selected the DMP Flex 350 is the superior quality of the final titanium parts.

Sharon Tuvia selected the complete DMP Flex 350 system, comprising metal 3D printer, software and material, to produce final titanium parts with superior quality. This includes 3D System's 3DXpert software which consolidates numerous software options into a single integrated system, helping Sharon Tuvia shorten the design-to-manufacturing process.

Ronen Sharon, CEO, Sharon Tuvia says: "We challenged titanium parts produced on the DMP Flex 350 with a battery of external tests - evaluating elongation, stress, fatigue, micro-structure analysis, and other factors. The LaserForm titanium parts performed without parallel. The results were especially extraordinary when checking for lack of fusion, also called incomplete fusion. Most parts produced using metal 3D printing technologies will reveal lack of fusion. When we tested the titanium parts from 3D Systems' DMP Flex 350, there was absolutely no lack of fusion."

Sharon Tuvia was also impressed by the DMP Flex 350's improved gas flow technology. Ronen Sharon adds: "The closed vacuum chamber design not only maximises powder re-use, but also prevents argon gas bubbles from permeating the part. When parts produced using 3D Systems technology undergo Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP), the part quality is comparable to forged parts. Such results are a must for aerospace parts that need to withstand high amounts of pressure periodically."

New aluminium alloy material for optimal part quality

LaserForm AlSi7Mg0.6 (A) - a new aluminium alloy material - is designed to produce strong, lightweight parts without the need for casting, making it well suited for parts that enable improved fuel efficiency for transportation and other weight-sensitive applications. In addition, the material's corrosion resistance, high thermal conductivity and electrical ductility, as well as good "weldability' are well suited to such applications as housings, mould inserts, impellers and heat exchangers. This new aluminium alloy material is compatible with both the DMP Flex and DMP Factory 350.

Vyomesh Joshi, president and chief executive officer, 3D Systems says: "At Formnext 2017, I announced 3D Systems' intent to bring 3D printing to the factory floor with a new generation of additive manufacturing solutions. Today I am happy to report that over the last year we have brought to market an unrivalled series of plastic and metal 3D printers, materials and software that are optimising workflows, enabling new design innovations, and reducing costs. The new innovations we are announcing today - DMP Flex 350, DMP Factory 350, and LaserForm material- further expand 3D System's customer-first, solution approach to drive the transformation of manufacturing."

To learn more about the DMP Flex 350 and DMP Factory 350, go to www.3dsystems.com.