At RAPID 2016, Additive Industries shows its industrial 3D metal printing system, MetalFAB1. This is the first time across the Atlantic and the official launch for the US market.

Additive Industries claims its MetalFAB1 system offers “substantially improved performance over typical midrange systems. The industrial grade additive manufacturing machine and integrated Additive World software platform offers a tenfold reproducibility, productivity and flexibility.”

Currently Additive Industries is testing the MetalFAB1 system in a Beta program with the first customers in Europe, among which is Airbus. In parallel the company is ramping up for series production and plans to deliver the first 0-series systems before the year-end.

According to Additive Industries, the thermally optimized design, smart feedback control and calibration strategies, and elimination of waiting time and automation of build plate and product handling contribute to this additive machine’s “industrial grade level” performance. The machine is built on a modular design, so users can configure it to meet specific applications.

With multiple build chambers for individual integrated powder handling, it can combine up to four materials simultaneously. The MetalFAB1 can be equipped with a maximum of four full field lasers, thereby eliminating the need for stitching when printing large objects. MetalFAB1 also includes a furnace for integrated stress relief heat treatment. The size of a single build envelope is 420 x 420 x 400 mm, 16.5 x 16.5, x 15.75 in.

“We already attracted a lot of interest from US based companies and are proud to announce that we will be ready to accept orders for the first systems in the worlds’ largest metal AM market now,” said Daan Kersten, co-founder and CEO of Additive Industries. ‘The Beta program is progressing well and the tested system performance gives us the confidence to start-up our operations for companies in markets like aerospace, automotive, medical and high tech equipment in the USA.

“We are building a regional service organization to directly support our MetalFAB1 users,” added Harry Kleijnen, Manager Process & Application Development.