The latest news about Digital Metal

Digital Metal has received notice of completion of product testing and authorization to apply the UL Mark to our metal binder jetting system DM P2500. UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is the world’s largest, not-for-profit product safety testing and certification organization global safety consulting and certification company, founded in 1894 and headquartered in the USA.

The technical team at Digital Metal did already in the concept stage of DM P2500 address the requirements for both UL and CE certification. Preparation for meeting these standards involves all steps of developing and designing a new machine. Each single component and system in the machine must be taken into account. The engineering time invested to meet these demands is, however, well spent. Not only does it ensure machine safety, it also contributes to good working environment.

The new UL certification proves that the DM P2500 printer meets all expected standard for the US and Canadian. DM P2500 the first metal binder jetting system to receive UL certification.

“Employee and customers safety should be the number one priority for every business owner. It is crucial that the equipment you use on a regular basis is working properly and more importantly, that it is manufactured and installed correctly. The UL certification is an important way to ensure that and we are very happy to receive it”, says Ralf Carlström, General Manager at Digital Metal.

For more information, please contact Ralf Carlström at Ralf.Carlstrom@digitalmetal.tec

About Digital Metal

Digital Metal is the world’s first company to commercialize high-precision 3D metal printers for the production of small, high-volume components. Digital Metal’s proprietary binder jetting technology enables the production of high-quality complex objects with superior surface finish, which is not possible with competing technologies. The company also offers manufacturing of metal components. Among the customers are many of the world’s leading technology companies such as Honeywell, Koenigsegg, Mectron, Montfort Watches, CETIM (the French Technical Center for Mechanical Industries) and Volvo. Digital Metal was founded in 2012 and has its headquarters in Höganäs. The company is part of the Höganäs Group, the world’s largest producer of metal powders. Read more at digitalmetal.tech.

Digital Metal® remains at the forefront of additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, of metal components. Introduced in 2013, this unique binder-jetting technology has already enabled production of more than 300,000 components. Several Digital Metal DM P2500 printers are already in serial production producing series of up to 40,000 components. In 2018, additional delivery agreements were signed with major European players in the automotive and aerospace segment. Now, Digital Metal takes yet another step towards the future by launching a fully automated no-hand production concept.

The majority of the process steps will be handled by a robot, which will eliminate practically all manual work thus further increasing productivity. The robot will feed the printer with build boxes and then move the boxes for post-treatment in a CNC-operated de-powdering machine combined with a pick-and-place robot. There, the remaining metal powder will be removed and recycled, and the parts placed on sintering plates. The main robot will then move the plates to the sintering furnace for combined debinding and sintering, either in batches or for continuous production.

“Most AM technologies show a very low level of automation”, says Ralf Carlström, General Manager at Digital Metal. “Our aim is to change that. With the new no-hand production line, our customers can further improve their productivity and lower the production costs. Almost all manually intensive work can be eliminated and in addition the powders removed in the cleaning machine can be recirculated in the process, thus minimizing waste. As we see it, the Digital Metal technology is now applicable for serial production of high-volume components.”

Digital Metal introduces automation during the powder removal step as an initial step towards full no-hand production. During de-powdering, the CNC-controlled movements are based on the information from the printing process. All removed powder is collected and recycled without any degeneration of properties.

“We believe there is a huge potential for our unique technology,” says Ralf Carlström. “Not only is it very fast and cost-effective, it is also able to create complicated and highly detailed designs with wide material choice.”

The next opportunity to see the Digital Metal technology live is at Formnext in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, between 13-16 November 2018.

For more information, please contact Ralf Carlström at Ralf.Carlstrom@digitalmetal.tech

Download Picture: Production Line

About Digital Metal

Digital Metal is the world’s first company to commercialize high-precision 3D metal printers for the production of small, high-volume components. Digital Metal’s proprietary binder jetting technology enables the production of high-quality complex objects with superior surface finish, which is not possible with competing technologies. The company also offers manufacturing of metal components. Among the customers are many of the world’s leading technology companies such as Honeywell, Koenigsegg, Mectron, Montfort Watches, CETIM (the French Technical Center for Mechanical Industries) and Volvo. Digital Metal was founded in 2012 and has its headquarters in Höganäs. The company is part of the Höganäs Group, the world’s largest producer of metal powders. Read more at digitalmetal.tech.

Digital Metal^®’s unique binder-jetting technology continues to raise great interest in the AM field. The UK’s renowned centre for innovative technology, the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing, based at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry, has just decided to add a Digital Metal printer to their already extensive range of advanced manufacturing equipment. The printer will be operational in July/August 2018.

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) was established in 2010 as an independent Research & Technology Organisation, as part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, which is supported by Innovate UK. It operates some of the most advanced manufacturing equipment in the world and employs a team of highly skilled engineers, it is the go-to place for the development and demonstration of new manufacturing solutions on an industrial scale.

The MTC is home to the UK National Centre for Additive Manufacturing (NCAM), which offers deep expertise across a comprehensive range of AM processes, from initial design to final delivery of pre-production parts. Here, companies of any size can get support on how to understand and adopt AM for their business to realise its potential benefits. The capabilities at the NCAM can be utilised to de-risk the adoption of this rapidly developing technology.

Now, the NCAM is taking the next step in driving the AM revolution in the UK, by adding a state-of-the-art metal binder jetting printer from Digital Metal to its already impressive manufacturing armoury. The printer will be available to both its member companies and other organisations interested in testing the technology and the capabilities of binder jetting. This technology is not available anywhere else in the UK and provides an opportunity for UK industry to understand and utilise its unique capabilities, especially on small, highly complex, high precision parts.

“The Digital Metal binder jetting technology falls into the category of ‘bind-and-sinter AM’, where a multi-stage process chain incorporating sintering is required to achieve full density.” says Dr David Brackett, AM Technology Manager at the NCAM. “It’s a very fast technology that can create complicated and highly detailed designs, and there is potential for wider material choice than with AM processes that use melting. We are delighted to be able to offer this to the companies we work with.”

The centre also conducts advanced research in Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) which requires a similar set of post-processing steps to metal binder jetting. “Digital Metal’s technology offers great potential for metal AM productivity and capability”, says Usama Attia, Technical Specialist at the NCAM, who is applying his expertise in MIM processing to bind-and-sinter AM technologies. “I am particularly impressed by the production speed, and the quality of the parts produced are comparable to MIM in terms of level of details, tight tolerances and quality of surface finish, with the added advantage of geometrical complexity.”

“Our printer will be delivered and installed at the NCAM in July”, says Ralf Carlström, General Manager at Digital Metal. “Within a week, the first real tests will start. The NCAM personnel are currently performing training on the equipment to make sure they will be able to operate it safely and efficiently.”

For more information, please contact Ralf Carlström at Ralf.Carlstrom@digitalmetal.tech

Read more about the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing at http://ncam.the-mtc.org.

About Digital Metal

Digital Metal is the world’s first company to commercialize high-precision 3D metal printers for the production of small, high-volume components. Digital Metal’s proprietary binder jetting technology enables the production of high-quality complex objects with superior surface finish, which is not possible with competing technologies. The company also offers manufacturing of metal components. Among the customers are many of the world’s leading technology companies such as Honeywell, Koenigsegg, Mectron, Montfort Watches, CETIM (the French Technical Center for Mechanical Industries) and Volvo. Digital Metal was founded in 2012 and has its headquarters in Höganäs. The company is part of the Höganäs Group, the world’s largest producer of metal powders. Read more at digitalmetal.tech.

Serial production of high-precision DM P2500 3D metal printer and complex metal components bolstered

Höganäs, Sweden. – [January 22, 2018] – Digital Metal®, the world’s first high-precision 3D metal printer provider, is expanding its operations, increasing the Höganäs plant production area by 50 percent, to support serial manufacturing of its DM P2500 and new components. Since launching in September 2017, the increased demand has also resulted in the need to hire more engineers, technicians and sales employees, as well as investment in new materials R&D.

“Thanks to the great interest, we are now starting serial production of our machines,” says Ralf Carlström, General Manager at Digital Metal. “The first batch will consist of six new printers containing the latest automation electronics. In addition, we have reduced the overall dimensions of the machine, making it more easily positioned at customer sites. While our existing machinery will be upgraded to the latest technology at the same time.”

The distinctive feature of Digital Metal’s binder jetting method is that the components are printed and sintered instead of being melted together with lasers, providing superior resolution and detail accuracy. In addition, the production speed is significantly higher than other 3D printing technologies.

The production plant and office in Höganäs will be expanded by 50 percent. This includes installation of a new vacuum extraction system and increased compression and cooling power, which will allow Digital Metal to double its sintering capacity. There will also be a separate room for quality control and an isolated space for printing with materials that require special handling.

“By developing our range of materials, we can develop new collaborations with companies in industries such as aerospace, where there is a great need for components that can withstand extremely high temperatures, made with superalloys,” says Ralf Carlström.

“For us, this expansion is just a beginning,” adds Ralf Carlström. “We are no longer thinking linearly. Instead, we are primed for exponential growth.”

About Digital Metal

Digital Metal is the world’s first company to commercialize high-precision 3D metal printers for the production of small, high-volume components. Digital Metal’s proprietary binder jetting technology enables the production of high-quality complex objects with superior surface finish, which is not possible with competing technologies. The company also offers manufacturing of metal components. Among the customers are many of the world’s leading technology companies such as Honeywell, Koenigsegg, Mectron, Montfort Watches, CETIM (the French Technical Center for Mechanical Industries) and Volvo. Digital Metal was founded in 2012 and has its headquarters in Höganäs. The company is part of the Höganäs Group, the world’s largest producer of metal powders. Read more at digitalmetal.tech.

Digital Metal® is undoubtedly one of Sweden’s most exciting and fastest growing technology companies. Thanks to a unique patented technology, the company is at the forefront of additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, of metal components. The distinctive feature of Digital Metal’s method is that the components are printed and sintered instead of being melted together with laser, providing superior resolution and detail accuracy (the technology is called binder jetting). In addition, the production speed is significantly higher than for other 3D printing technologies.

Having raised a lot of interest during the past year, Digital Metal is now ready for a major expansion of operations, both in terms of production area and number of employees. Six new engineers and technicians are needed to assist in the development of materials and machines. To match the growing demand, the company also requires a new sales representative.

“Thanks to the great interest, we are now starting serial production of our machines,” says Ralf Carlström, General Manager at Digital Metal. “The first batch will consist of six new printers containing the latest automation electronics. In addition, we have reduced the overall dimensions of the machine, making it more easily positioned. Our existing machinery will be upgraded to the latest technology at the same time.”

The production plant and the office in Höganäs will be expanded by 50%. The construction includes installation of a new ventilation system and increased compression and cooling power, which will allow Digital Metal to double its sintering capacity. There will also be a separate room for quality control and an isolated space for printing with materials that require special handling.

“By developing our range of materials, we open up for new collaborations with companies in industries such as aerospace, where there is a great need for components that can withstand extremely high temperatures, made with so-called superalloys,” says Ralf Carlström.

“For us, this expansion is just a beginning,” adds Ralf Carlström. “We are no longer thinking linearly. Instead, we rig for exponential growth.”

About Digital Metal

Digital Metal is the world’s first company to commercialize high-precision 3D metal printers for the production of small, high-volume components. Digital Metal’s proprietary binder jetting technology enables the production of high-quality complex objects with superior surface finish, which is not possible with competing technologies. The company also offers manufacturing of metal components. Among the customers are many of the world’s leading technology companies such as Honeywell, Koenigsegg, Mectron, Montfort Watches, CETIM (the French Technical Center for Mechanical Industries) and Volvo. Digital Metal was founded in 2012 and has its headquarters in Höganäs. The company is part of the Höganäs Group, the world’s largest producer of metal powders. Read more at digitalmetal.tech.

Digital Metal continues to raise eyebrows at trade shows around Europe. At the TCT Show in Birmingham, between September 26-28, many visitors were astonished at the detail quality of the parts off the machine. As a reporter noted “working at a layer height of 42 µm the level of detail is impressive”.

Available for viewing at both the TCT Show and EuroPM in Milan, Italy, the 3D prints on display gave visitors an initial idea of what the DMP P2500 is capable of. The interest was overwhelming. To read some of the impressions from the both shows, please visit our website.

If you have been unable to meet us so far, you’ll have another possibility at Formnext in Frankfurt, November 14-17. Welcome to experience the future!

Digital Metal is exhibiting on the following trade fairs:

• 3D Printing Expo 2017, Feb 14-16, 2018, Tokyo, Japan
• MIM 2018, Mar 5-7, Irvine, California
• AMUG, Apr 8-12, 2018, St Louis, Missouri
• Medtec Europé, Apr 17-19, 2018, Stuttgart, Germany
• Rapid, Apr 23-26, 2018, Fort Worth, TX
• Elmia 3d/ Automation mässa, May 15-18 2018, Jönköping, Sweden
• Inside 3D printing Sao Paolo, June 11-12, 2018, Sao Palo, Brazil
• 3D Print, June, 5-7, 2018, Lyon, France
• AMPM2018, Jun, 17-20, 2017, San Antonio, TX
• Rapidtech, June 20-22, 2017, Erfurt, Germany
• Manufacturing World Tokyo Big Sight, June 21-23, 2017, Tokyo, Japan
• TCT Live, September 26-28, 2017, Birmingham, Uk Hall 3A NEC
• Euro PM2018, Oct 14-18, 2018, Bilbao
• Formnext, Nov 13-16, 2018, Frankfurt

Welcome!

Digital Metal begins commercial production of its 3D metal binder jet printers, offering unprecedented detail, surface resolution and design possibilities for small components

Höganäs, Sweden. – [September 19, 2017] – Digital Metal, a Höganäs Group company, the world’s leading producer of metal powders, today announced it has initiated commercial production of the industry’s first high precision binder jetting 3D metal printer that can produce smaller and more intricate components than any previous technology. The DM P2500 can be purchased or licensed from Digital Metal and is ideal for serial production and customised parts, opening up the possibility to print what was once impossible.

Digital Metal has produced both bespoke tiny objects and high precision small components at scale using its proprietary binder jetting technology for four years. To date, the company has produced approximately 200,000 pieces for customers in several industries, including aerospace, luxury goods, dental tools and industrial equipment manufacturing. It will continue to offer this production service, while also expanding its business with the commercial sale and licensing of its revolutionary 3D metal printer.

The DM P2500 continuously prints in 42 µm layers at 100 cc/hr without the need for any support structures. It has 2500 cm³ print volume available. This makes it possible to manufacture small objects in high quantities (up to 50,000 parts in one print run), comprising shapes, geometries and internal and external finishes never before achieved. The DM P2500 delivers a resolution of 35 µm and an average surface roughness of Ra 6 µm before additional finishing processes are applied.

For the first time, complex architectures with medical grade smoothness are possible on a small scale, as well as moving parts within other objects, and a gradient of holes in a single print. The process is also adaptable for a variety of materials because the heat treatment (sintering) happens after printing. Powder removed before sintering is reused for subsequent jobs, making it the most sustainable additive manufacturing (AM) technology available today. This results in high yield and low scrap rates, meaning downtime is kept to a minimum, and there is no de-generation of the powder that other AM processes experience.

“Our heritage, knowledge and experience in metal powders combined with the development and evolution of our cutting-edge printer technology has enabled us to succeed where others have failed. With the DM P2500 we are bringing to market a tried and tested 3D metal printer with the capability to produce objects with unparalleled accuracy and surface finish at high volume – from day one we delivered one-off parts in large volumes,” said Ralf Carlström, General Manager, Digital Metal.

“The Digital Metal business has doubled year on year since its inception, however we’ve barely scratched the surface in terms of the potential this technology offers for designers and engineers. We’ve seen relatively small (but previously unachievable) changes to the internal structure of components result in a 30% improvement in overall product efficiency, which would have been impossible to produce using conventional methods. As the design and engineering community begin to explore and understand what our highly repeatable and reliable technology enables, we believe we will see huge demand for this technology. By making the printers commercially available we hope to facilitate and fuel that demand.”

The second DM P2500 outside Digital Metal was installed in June 2017 and licensed to Centre Technique des Industries Mécaniques (CETIM), France’s benchmark institute and technological innovation hub for mechanical engineering. The machine started production just two days later and is already showing exceptional consistent results. While the first printer is confidentially licensed to a global leader in fashion design and will see its new serial production items available at the end of this year.

Luxury watch start-up Montfort approached Digital Metal to print the dials for its watches inspired by the Swiss Alps. The binder jetting technique was the only solution that allowed Montfort the creative freedom to make watch dials with a design and finish that resembles the mineral, crystalline structure of rocks.

Additionally, in the U.S., Honeywell Aerospace and Digital Metal are exploring a number of joint 3D printing projects that will merge Honeywell’s expertise in aerospace engineering with Digital Metal’s leadership in additive manufacturing.

“The binder jetting technology Digital Metal uses to print small metal parts has the potential for various applications within the Honeywell Aerospace program,” said Don Godfrey, Engineering Fellow – Additive Manufacturing, Honeywell Aerospace. “We believe this will also be critical to applications in other key areas of the broader aerospace industry.”

“Now it’s time to open the market by allowing other businesses and manufacturers to take advantage of our proprietary technology and know-how,” Carlström continued. From designers that crave more freedom to industries that hoard spare parts that are never used, we want to shake up their thinking for future product design and maintenance. Items can be printed on-demand, in the singular or en masse.”

In addition to the 3D metal binder jet printer, Digital Metal also provides all the ancillary equipment required with each machine, as well as introductory and ongoing training and support to ensure customers are achieving the ultimate productivity and outputs. The company will initially target key industries that have a lot to gain from additive manufacturing of small and complex components, including automotive, dental, healthcare, aerospace and luxury fashion.

Digital Metal is currently in discussions with various partners to help facilitate product distribution and support across the globe. The company plans to exhibit at TCT Show, 26-28^th September, Birmingham, UK, and Formnext, Frankfurt, Germany, 4-17^th November.

Digital Metal Capability Comparison

The below table produced by Digital Metal offers an at-a-glance comparison of its technology and alternative manufacturing processes, based on its industry experience. It compares AM processes like SLM (Selective Laser Melting), EBM (Electron Beam Melting), DED (Direct Energy Deposition) and conventional technology like MIM (Metal Injection Moulding) with Digital Metal’s high precision binder jetting. All AM technologies have their pros and cons, every organisation must consider what’s best for their application needs. All AM technologies are advantageous for prototyping or small series production but the greater amount of energy used during melting for higher productivity results in a tradeoff of less intricacy and limited surface resolution, while MIM is only 2D and productive for really small applications. Comparatively Digital Metal offers a unique combination as it provides high precision details, fine surfaces, print tolerances, and high productivity of multiple parts in a single print that be either uniform or customised.

About Digital Metal

Digital Metal is the world’s first company to commercially produce high precision 3D metal printers that have a proven production record. Digital Metal’s proprietary binder jetting technology enables intricate and detailed small objects and parts to be manufactured at high volume, whether identical or of custom design, which are impossible to produce with the same precision using any other additive manufacturing or traditional production process. Customers include Koenigsegg Automotive AB, Montfort Watches, and France’s Technical Centre for Mechanical Industries (CETIM). Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Höganäs, Sweden, Digital Metal is part of the Höganäs Group, the world’s largest producer of iron and non-ferrous metal powders since 1797. Read more at digitalmetal.tech and follow us on Twitter @digitalmetal3D.

Press Contact

Zoe Eastwood
Atomic PR
digitalmetal@atomicpr.com
+44 20 3861 3817

Digital Metal extends the range of available material for its 3D printing technology. Ti6Al4V will be offered on top of already existing Stainless 316L and 17-4PH.
Ti6Al4V is widely known and used in the additive manufacturing industry. It combines high strength, hardness and ductility with high corrosion resistance. It also means a 45% weight reduction compared to conventional steel. The Digital Metal Ti6Al4V offer follows ISO 22068. Typical values can be seen in the table.

Material data – typical values

Digital Metal offers 3D printing of small metal components with a combination of high detail accuracy, high surface finish and tight tolerances.