3D Systems expands applications with new AM solutions

November 16, 2021

The new DMP Flex 350 Dual is being showcased at Formnext 2021 (Courtesy 3D Systems)

3D Systems, Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA, has announced updates to its metal Additive Manufacturing software and Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) machines, as well as a new material, post-processing partnership, and workflow for polymer AM. By combining these with the knowledge of its Application Innovation Group (AIG), the company intends to help customers advance AM performance and productivity in the healthcare and industrial markets.

Direct Metal Printing (DMP) machines for healthcare, industrial and dental applications

The DMP Flex 350 Dual and DMP Factory 350 Dual are two of the latest PBF-LB machines from the company, both of which feature two lasers which are expected to reduce build time by up to 50%, thus lowering costs.

These additions to the company’s DMP portfolio maintain the advantages of the single-laser configurations, including flexible application use and quick-swap build modules (DMP Flex 350 Dual); integrated powder recycling (DMP Factory 350 Dual); and a central server to manage build jobs, materials, settings, and maintenance for round-the-clock productivity.

Additionally, the company’s vacuum chamber is said to significantly reduce argon gas consumption while delivering high oxygen purity (< 30 ppm). The DMP Flex 350 Dual and DMP Factory 350 Dual are expected to accelerate innovation for a variety of applications including medical devices, aerospace, turbomachinery, semiconductors, and automotive & motorsports.

The new DMP Flex 200 is intended for additively manufacturing high-quality, small, complex, finely detail metal parts. These specifications are said to make it ideal for dental applications including next-day removable partial dentures (RPDs), crowns, bridges, and implant bars.

The DMP Flex 200 features a 500 W laser source and a larger build volume (140 x 140 x 115 mm or 5.51 x 5.51 x 4.53 in) with a build plate clamping mechanism that eliminates the need for screw management inside the build chamber.

These machines are expected to be available for general sale in the first quarter of 2022.

3DXpert® 17 with topology optimisation, machine learning

Customers integrating 3D Systems’ DMP portfolio into a production workflow can also utilise the updated 3DXpert 17, available from Oqton. Through the acquisition of Oqton, 3D Systems intends to make its entire AM suite of software platforms available to the AM industry.

3DXpert is an integrated tool to prepare and optimise parts quickly, enabling quicker design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) in an effort to both shorten production time and increase part precision. Features available in the new version are expected to accelerate part design with higher yield and faster build times.

General availability of 3DXpert 17 is planned for the fourth quarter of 2021.

“We’re excited to be able to meet with our industry colleagues, collaborators, and customers here at Formnext and introduce new product enhancements in our additive manufacturing portfolio,” stated Dr David Leigh, CTO for AM, 3D Systems.

“We remain committed to investing in our core technologies that help our customers tackle the toughest production applications,” he continued. “As we approach the end of the year, we’re looking forward to the future with great anticipation and the realisation that we can’t accomplish this by ourselves. We see tremendous opportunities to collaborate with others in the industry to bring together our products and expertise – fundamentally transforming the solutions we provide to help change the world of Additive Manufacturing.”

3D Systems is showcasing these new technologies and solutions in its booth (Hall 12.1 D101) at Formnext 2021.

www.3dsystems.com

About Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine

Metal AM magazine, published quarterly in digital and print formats, is read by a rapidly expanding international audience.

Our audience includes component manufacturers, end-users, materials and equipment suppliers, analysts, researchers and more.

In addition to providing extensive industry news coverage, Metal AM magazine is known for exclusive, in-depth articles and technical reports.

Our focus is the entire metal AM process from design to application.

Each issue is available as an easy-to-navigate digital edition and a high-quality print publication.

In the latest issue of Metal AM magazine

Download PDF
 

Extensive AM industry news coverage, as well as the following exclusive deep-dive articles:

  • BMW Group: Laying the foundations for the application of metal Additive Manufacturing in the automotive industry
  • Predicting the metal Additive Manufacturing market – and breaking the hype cycle
  • China’s thriving metal Additive Manufacturing industry: An outsider’s perspective
  • Enhancing the productivity of Additive Manufacturing facilities through PBF-LB automation
  • Award-winning metal AM parts from the MPIF’s 2024 Design Excellence Awards
  • Performance of eddy currents for the in-situ detection of defects during PBF-LB metal AM

The world of metal AM to your inbox

Don't miss any new issue of Metal AM magazine, and get the latest industry news. Sign up to our twice weekly newsletter.

Sign up

Looking for AM machines, metal powders or part manufacturing services?

Discover suppliers of these and more in our comprehensive advertisers’ index and buyer’s guide, available in the back of Metal AM magazine.

  • AM machines
  • Process monitoring & calibration
  • Heat treatment & sintering
  • HIP systems & services
  • Pre- & post-processing technology
  • Powders, powder production and analysis
  • Part manufacturers
  • Consulting, training & market data
View online

Discover our magazine archive…

The free to access Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of metal Additive Manufacturing from a commercial and technological perspective through:

  • Reports on visits to leading metal AM part manufacturers and industry suppliers
  • Articles on technology and application trends
  • Information on materials developments
  • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
  • International industry news

All past issues are available to download as free PDFs or view in your browser.

Browse the archive

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap