Desktop Metal recently launched 316L stainless steel for manufacturing with its metal binder jetting Shop System.
Desktop Metal has had a busy 2021 from acquisitions, including ExOne and Adaptive3D, to launching Desktop Health to qualifying new materials. The latest material available for its innovative Shop System, the first metal binder jetting system for machine shops, is 316L stainless steel.
“The launch of 316L for the Shop System is a part of an aggressive and extensive materials roadmap to broaden our AM 2.0 portfolio and addresses a rapidly expanding set of use cases for our print platforms,” said Jonah Myerberg, Desktop Metal cofounder and CTO. “We are fully focused on developing opportunities for our customers to produce parts competitively with conventional manufacturing, and we are excited to be able to extend our binder jetting technology to meet this need and address key existing and emerging killer applications for 316L in the market.”
316L stainless is a corrosion-resistant, highly ductile material that can withstand extreme temperatures and has a finish that is easy to clean and sterilize. It is an especially viable material for use in demanding and high-end applications. The ability to use the material on the Shop System takes what is possible with 3D printing with metal to new levels.
“Availability of 316L stainless steel on the Shop System is excellent news, both for us and our customers,” said Patrick Chouvet, CEO of EAC Metal Ornaments, a renowned French-based metallic ornament manufacturer. “Some of our customers and applications require the excellent corrosion resistance the steel offers, and it is particularly well-suited to the polishing and plating processes we use for luxury goods.”
Validated for printing and sintering, the material meets MPIF Standard 35. It is a strong, quality material for use across industries, including manufacturing, tooling, consumer and marine. For chemical processors, it is an ideal solution for custom spray nozzles. Instead of using a cast followed by extra machining, an order of hundreds could be completed within a week using this material. That means reduced lead times and costs associated with traditional methods while still getting the highest quality end product. Medical devices are another example of how 316L is a welcome addition. Closure assemblies to keep components in place are very small and have unique geometries. Traditionally, metal injection molding (MIM) was used, which was costly, both in terms of time and money. Using the 316L on the Shop System, 10,000 parts can be printed weekly without tooling costs.
The Shop System was released in fall 2020. The first of its kind, the system was specifically designed to be a cost-effective solution for machine and metal job shops. This end-to-end solution is easy to integrate into shop operations and is up to 10 times faster than laser powder bed fusion. It prints parts every six to 12 hours, significantly increasing the output of large orders of precision parts.
For a more in-depth look at the benefits of metal 3D printing and how it works, check out this webinar.
