If you are looking to explore precious metals with binder jetting technology, this is your chance. A newly qualified 925 sterling silver could now be processed on Desktop Metal’s Production System.
The American machine manufacturer aims to provide jewelry and luxury goods manufacturers another option to directly 3D print high-quality jewelry, watches, belt buckles, and decorative hardware for handbags.
The announcement follows the recent addition of DM HH Stainless Steel to its Binder Jetting 3D printing materials. It brings to 11 the total number of qualified materials for the Production System.
For this specific development, Desktop Metal is partnering with two experts in precious metals powder and parts production: Formula 3D Corporation founded by Christian Tse of Christian Tse Designs & Manufacturing Inc. for the U.S. market, and Neoshapes a Swiss startup founded by experienced executives in the luxury goods industry that will bring around this table its international clientele.
“Desktop Metal’s Production System adds extraordinary value to our existing jewelry manufacturing processes, increasing efficiency of production, getting new designs to market faster, and offering our customers greater versatility and multiple styling options. We can actually print in precious metals in two hours what we do in two days with casting,” said Christian Tse. “In addition, creating jewelry with binder jetting is allowing us to consider new options to circumvent some of the supply chain challenges facing the fine jewelry industry. We can bypass shipping delays and mounting costs, as well as avoid duties, by printing the precious silver directly, as opposed to shipping the physical metal.”
Neoshapes’ approach on the other hand consists in exploring every single step of the manufacturing chain to enable industry players to easily transition their production processes to binder jet technology – from the production and supply of powder, to the printing and post-processing of precious metals components, as well as consultancy services.
“Binder jetting opens up new perspectives for the luxury industry, even more now with the qualification of precious metal alloys, giving further leverage to develop and produce creative products from a single file, leaping forward into the digital supply chain. The time to market for new creative products is also reduced considerably, allowing brands to better meet demand while maintaining minimal inventories,” said Stéphane Vigié, Neoshapes co-founder.
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