3D Printers

3D Systems launches two new DMP metal 3D printers and Customer Innovation Center

Leading 3D printer manufacturer 3D Systems has announced the latest additions to its DMP metal 3D printing platform – the DMP Flex 350 and DMP Factory 350 3D printers.

Furthermore, the company has introduced a new aluminum alloy material, LaserForm AISiMg0.6(A), and established a new Customer Innovation Center (CIC) in Germany for plastics in additive manufacturing. Vyomesh Joshi, President and CEO at 3D Systems explained:

“At Formnext 2017, I announced 3D Systems’ intent to bring 3D printing to the factory floor with a new generation of additive manufacturing solutions. Over the last year we have brought to market an unrivalled series of plastic and metal 3D printers, materials and software that are optimizing workflows, enabling new design innovations, and reducing costs.”

A 3D printed bracket produced in 3D Systems LaserForm AlSi7Mg0.6 (A) aluminum alloy for lightweight parts. Photo via 3D Systems.
A 3D printed bracket produced in 3D Systems LaserForm AlSi7Mg0.6 (A) aluminum alloy for lightweight parts. Photo via 3D Systems.

The DMP Flex 350

Following the release of the DMP Factory 500, the new DMP Flex 350 and DMP Factory 350 are designed for improved volume production for industrial applications such as aerospace, healthcare, and transportation. With a build volume of 275 x 275 x 380 mm (10.82 x 10.82 x 14.96 in), the DMP Flex 350, successor to the ProX DMP 320 metal 3D printer, reduces material waste, and set-up times. In comparison to the ProX DMP 320, the DMP Fex 350 offers improved print productivity of 15%. And, most Importantly, the Flex is designed to be easily scaled up in a factory setting as demand increases.

Sharon Tuvia, an Israeli manufacturer of mechanical aeronautical assemblies, tested 3D Systems’ new AISiMg0.6(A) on the DMP Flex 350. Ronen Sharon, CEO of Sharon Tuvia said:

“We challenged titanium parts produced on the DMP Flex 350 with a battery of external tests –  evaluating elongation, stress, fatigue, microstructure 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.”

3D Systems DMP Flex 350 metal 3D printer for 24/7 part production and flexible application use. Photo via 3D Systems.
3D Systems DMP Flex 350 metal 3D printer for 24/7 part production and flexible application use. Photo via 3D Systems.

DMP Factory 350

The DMP Factory 350 maintains a maximum build volume of 275 x 275 x 380 mm (10.82 x 10.82 x 14.96 in) offerinf repeatable, high-quality parts, and a low total cost of operation (TCO). The features and advantages of the DMP Flex 350, are included within this system. The main difference between the two is the addition of a powder management module.

An in-unit viewing panel is included in this modules which allows for visual inspection of the ultrasonic sieve to ensure incident-free operation. Moreover, both the DMP Flex 350 and DMP Factory 350 are integrated with 3D Systems’ 3DXpert 14.

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 $575,000 (US)/€504.528 (EU countries), and $763,000 USD/€669.487 (EU Countries) for the DMP Factory 350.

Tbe 3D Systems DMP Factory 350 metal 3D printer. Photo via 3D Systems.
The 3D Systems DMP Factory 350 metal 3D printer. Photo via 3D Systems.

3D Systems establish Customer Innovation Center

With the aim of strengthening customer relations as well as material developments, 3D Systems has opened a new CIC in Moerfelden, Germany. Application engineers from the center will work with customers and their unique use cases to benchmark additively manufacture parts and products.

“Our strategy puts the customer at the center of everything we do,” added VJ. “Each customer has a specific need – perhaps something that they want to do for mass customization, or they have a complex part that they want to build. Whatever the circumstance, we need to start with the customer and their specific use case.  That’s the power of really understanding the customer, and knowing what needs to be accomplished.”

Stay updated with the latest 3D printing news from Formnext by subscribing to our 3D printing newsletter. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Visit our 3D Printing Jobs to start a new career in 3D printing.

Featured image shows the 3D Systems DMP Factory 350 metal 3D printer. Photo via 3D Systems.