Stratasys is releasing more details of its new metal 3D printing platform being developed and designed for short-run metal applications. First unveiled earlier this year, the additive platform is based on Stratasys’ innovative “Layered Powder Metallurgy” (LPM) technology, designed to make production of metal parts quicker, easier and more cost-effective.

The platform is being developed to combine the value of additive manufacturing with short-run metal parts production. The technology is built to drive improved efficiency and cost savings using standard Powder Metallurgy (PM) alloys, mechanical properties with high accuracy and controlled shrinkage, as well as extremely fast throughput.

“We note that current approaches to 3D printing metals parts leave a lot to be desired – including slow post-processing, painstakingly intricate support removal, and hours of machining and grinding. Combined with the high cost of AM powders, this means each part is expensive, with a total cost of ownership that is hard to justify,” said Rafie Grinvald, Director of Product Marketing and Management, Stratasys. “Our new platform is designed to transform the current metals additive manufacturing landscape – presenting a viable alternative to typical production methods – and helping customers dramatically reduce the costs of creating reliable, consistent production-grade, metal parts for short-run applications.”

Developed internally over the past several years, Stratasys’ platform incorporates the company’s proprietary jetting technology and commonly used powder metallurgy, starting with offering Aluminium powders. The LPM solution includes a 3-step, additive manufacturing process combining traditional powder metallurgy with Stratasys’ PolyJet ink-jet technology. The process includes printing of boundaries with proprietary thermal ink, powder dispensing and spreading, and then compaction of the powder layer to achieve high-density and controllable shrinkage.

The end result is intended to be economically competitive vis-à-vis cost-per-part and throughput with easy to implement post-processing and extremely high part quality. The system aims to directly address needs of customers who require production of pilot-series parts, small-batch manufacturing during product ramp-up and end-of-life, as well as custom, lightweight, complex parts.

Stratasys is currently in closed-loop feedback discussions with OEMs and Tier-1s on the new metals platform. More details – including product specs and detailed launch timelines – will be made available soon.

Stratasys
www.stratasys.com