3D Systems to introduce C-103 alloy and DMP Flex 350 update at Formnext
November 2, 2023
3D Systems, Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA, will introduce C-103 niobium alloy and the DMP Flex 350 Triple metal Additive Manufacturing machine at this year’s Formnext, scheduled to take place November 7-10, 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany.
C-103 for challenging environments
C-103 is classified as a refractory material that is resistant to decomposition by heat, pressure, or chemical attack and thus retains its strength and form at high temperatures. The alloy has a high service temperature of between 1200-1400°C and is capable of withstanding high stresses at these elevated temperatures.
Because of its low ductile-to-brittle transition temperature, C-103 also has excellent resistance to high-frequency vibrations. These properties make C-103 well suited for rocket, hypersonic, and jet propulsion applications including spacecraft, satellites, and launch vehicles in the space, aerospace, and defence industries.
3D Systems’ DMP vacuum technology is reportedly well-suited to processing C-103. By ensuring a very low-oxygen environment, it helps maintain the material’s properties, which are highly sensitive to O2 exposure. The introduction of C-103 follows the recent successful performance verification of NASA’s GRX-810 super alloy, and expands the options for advanced aerospace applications.
The company stated that application development services on C-103 and GRX-810 are currently available through the its professional services delivered by the Application Innovation Group (AIG). GRX-810 is currently only available inside the United States.
DMP Flex 350’s latest configuration
At Formnext 2023, 3D Systems will also debut the latest configuration for the DMP Flex 350 Triple metal Additive Manufacturing machine. This compact, three-laser machine includes the company’s vacuum chamber design and extends its novel Removable Print Module (RPM) concept by supporting two distinct RPM modules with different build volumes. This includes a new RPM with a build of 350 x 350 x 350 mm and a standard RPM with a build volume of 275 x 275 x 420 mm. This enables cost effective processing of a variety of parts including impellers and cooling plates, for example. The RPMs can also be swapped for increased application flexibility.
The DMP Flex 350 Triple also offers multi-laser load balancing and enables seamless surface quality scan strategies. The machine is capable of processing a wide range of aluminium alloys, including traditional cast alloys (i.e., AlSi10Mg, AlSi7Mg0.6), high-strength aluminium alloys (i.e., A6061-RAM2), and high- conductivity aluminium (i.e., CP1), as well as 316L stainless steel. Additionally, nickel-based alloys such as Ni718, Ni625, and HX are available for high-temperature corrosion-resistant applications.
“Our innovation roadmap continues to focus on advancements that enable our customers to address a broader range of applications,” stated Marty Johnson, vice president, product & technical fellow, 3D Systems. “The latest additions we’re introducing at Formnext are expanding the capabilities of our plastic and metal solution portfolios to enable manufacturers to produce high-quality parts more efficiently. It has been a privilege to see our AIG specialists work closely with our aerospace and defense customers on the most challenging applications in difficult materials for extreme environments.”
