Following the release of new materials for its industrial SLA 3D printing solution, 3D Systems launches two more materials for metal 3D printing applications.
The new materials, Certified Scalmalloy (A) and Certified M789 (A), are designed for the fabrication of industrial high-strength, corrosion-resistant parts for additive applications. Aerospace, motorsports & automotive, semiconductor, energy, and moldmaking sectors are the main sectors of activity that are set to benefit from the new metallic powders.
Material producers APWORKS and voestalpine BÖHLER Edelstahl have collaborated with the AM company so that the two materials can be processed by its Direct Metal Printing (DMP) platform.
Industrials who would like to leverage the platform could work with 3D Systems’ Application Innovation Group (AIG) to efficiently certify these materials for use with DMP Flex 350 and DMP Factory 350 printers. As a reminder, the same consulting group has worked with Rodin Cars in the production of a 68 kg (149Lbs) 3D printed Titanium Gearbox.
Key characteristics of each material
Scalmalloy is a high-strength Aluminum alloy that has a tensile strength of 520MPa and yield strength of 480MPa, significantly stronger than the reference material AlSi10Mg. The high strength of Scalmalloy makes it ideal for additively manufacturing weight-efficient, load-bearing components.
Using this material, manufacturers are able to produce high-strength, corrosion-resistant Aluminum parts facilitated by fully-developed build styles available in 3DXpert® software for the company’s DMP Flex 350 and DMP Factory 350 metal 3D printers. Additionally, parts produced using Scalmalloy can be chemically cleaned during post-processing which removes surface residue to deliver a final part with optimal surface finish.
In the aerospace sector, manufacturers could explore the manufacture of passive RF components (e.g., filters, waveguides, etc.), lightweight structural components. In the Motorsports & Automotive sectors, they would explore the production of metal structural components (e.g., suspension brackets, transmission casings), energy and fluid management and in the semiconductor field, fluid flow (e.g., manifolds), thermal management (e.g., cooling nozzles, wafer tables) are some examples of possible applications that could be achieved using this material.
M789 (BÖHLER M789 AMPO) on the other hand, is ideal for the production of high-strength moulds and tooling that can not only be hardened up to 52HRC but are also free of Cobalt.
3D Systems has attained certification of M789 for its DMP platform through collaboration with its partner, GF Machining Solutions, addressing customers’ requests for a hard, corrosion-resistant tooling steel to foster advanced applications. The resulting parts are optimal for long-term use, able to withstand both the rigours of repetitive manufacturing processes as well as use in regions with high humidity.
In the mouldmaking industry, one could manufacture mould inserts with conformal cooling using this material. The energy sector will explore drill bits and cutting tools while the automotive sector can fabricate tire moulds, drive train parts, and axle components.
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