The Ex One Company (ExOne), North Huntingdon, Pa., is another 3d printing, additive manufacturing company for the industrial sector. It introduced its newest state-of-the-art 3D printer at the recent 2012 International Machine Technology Show in Chicago. According to the company, the M-FLEX 3D Printing System increases the capabilities of a 3D metal printer, offering more than seven times the volume output of machines currently in use.

The mid-sized M-FLEX system is primarily designed for manufacturing metal parts in industries such as mining, automotive and energy. Eventually, additional material sets will be printed, including tungsten, glass, ceramics and a variety of materials used for the casting industry. The machine has a build chamber of 400 mm (15.75 in.) x 250 (9.84 in.) mm x 250 mm (9.84 in.), and can achieve build speeds of 30 seconds per layer.

“We’ve made tremendous strides in 3D printing in the last decade. We are printing engine castings for helicopters and replacing broken pumps in oil fields in days – not months,” said Dave Burns, President of ExOne.

The machine is well suited for either prototypes or short runs of multiple and custom parts. The complete machine system includes a printer, recycling equipment, printing materials, a furnace and a comprehensive multimedia training program.

The M-FLEX uses a print head to distribute binder into beds of specially prepared and formulated materials.

The company also offers two of the largest printers on the world market for 3D printing of sand and metal materials, with build sizes as large as 1800 x 1000 x 700 mm (70 in. x 39 in. x 27 in.) for sand and 780 x 400 x 400 mm (30.7 in. x 15.75 in. x 15.75 in.) for metal. Smaller scale metal/glass printers are also available for university/research lab applications or small-scale product manufacturers, with a build size of 40 x 60 x 35 mm (1.5 in. x 2.3 in. x 1.3 in.).

Ex One Company, LLC
www.ExOne.com