Xact Metal ‘breaks the mold’ to showcase metal Additive Manufacturing as viable tooling option
April 24, 2024
Xact Metal, State College, Pennsylvania, USA, has announced the launch of its new initiative, “Breaking the Mold: The Xact Solution to Better Tooling.” The move aims to change the approach to metal Additive Manufacturing in the tooling industry by reframing the technology as a valuable option for rapid and cost-effective parts.
Xact Metal states that its Additive Manufacturing machines complement traditional manufacturing processes, offering cost-effective solutions for producing small inserts and complex geometries that are otherwise challenging or costly to manufacture. The company’s technology enables on-site production, reducing downtime and increasing operational efficiency.
As a result, recent customers Actco Tool and Mfg and Spectrum Plastics Group, a DuPont Business have invested in Xact Metal technology to strategically grow their capabilities for tooling and molding applications. They join existing Xact Metal customers such as JST, a global connectors manufacturer, and The Plastek Group, a global plastics packaging company specialising in mold building. Both of these customers utilise Xact Metal technology to create complex tool inserts for injection molds.
“We are excited about the new possibilities direct metal 3D printing brings to our rapid prototyping capabilities and engineering labs,” stated Tyler Stark, Innovation Hub leader at Spectrum. “Adding stainless steel printing to our current lineup of 3D thermoplastic printers not only bridges the gap for fixtures and tooling but also speeds up significantly the prototyping process, enabling us to meet our customers’ most complex device development needs and in rapid fashion.”
“Actco has nearly six decades in close tolerance tool and die work, and we’re actively looking to the future by adding more close tolerance equipment to our toolbox” shared Dana Gruber, President of Actco. “The Xact Metal XM200G fits that bill. The 20-micron build layer and compact machine design allows us to meet our customer’s needs.”
Xact Metal’s strategic partnership with Uddeholm enables them to offer Corrax powder for its machines. Corrax is a cobalt-free and corrosion-resistant material that can be polished to an A1 surface finish. This partnership empowers molders and mold makers with the ability to produce optimised mold inserts and tooling components, save time, and ensure high-quality results.
In addition, a recent collaboration with Oqton offers advanced software solutions, including conformal cooling channel automation, enabling seamless integration of Additive Manufacturing into the tooling and molding workflow. Xact Metal has also recently partnered with Dlyte Polishing Solutions from GPAINNOVA to complete the entire workflow and offer a comprehensive solution for achieving superior tooling surface finish with AM.
“Our mission is to make Additive Manufacturing more accessible and affordable for all,” added Juan Mario Gomez. “With our focus on cost-effective design and high-performing components, Xact Metal 3D printers offer a compelling solution for businesses looking to enhance their tooling and molding capabilities.”
From May 6-10 in Orlando, Florida, Xact Metal’s technical team will take over the Cimquest booth – S25196 – at NPE 2024 Plastic Show to showcase its equipment and capabilities.
For more information about Xact Metal and its ‘Breaking the Mold’ initiative, click here.
