Designed as an end-to-end solution, the
studio system is the first and only to
deliver office friendly metal 3D
printing. The three-part system, the
printer, debinder, and furnace
integrates with secure web-based
software to deliver a seamless workflow
to go from digital file to sintered part.
Fabricate software constructs build
plans from STL or native CAD files. Based
on the user defined parameters, material
and part geometry fabricate
automatically adjust the design for part
shrinkage, constructs advanced support
and determines optimal orientation. The
user can interact with the part and view
precise tool paths through a dynamic
interface. It then creates a unique build
plan and identifies compatible parts
from the queue that can be fabricated
together. The system brings a wide range
of critical alloys to 3D printing. Each
alloy undergoes rigorous qualification
by world leading material scientists
whose expertise is at the core of the
studio system technology. Safe to handle
hot swappable media cartridges and quick
release print heads allow for easy
material changes in a matter of minutes
instead of hours or even days with other
systems. In a process called bound metal
deposition, metal rods, metal powder held
together by wax in polymer binder, are
heated and extruded onto the build plate
shaping the part layer by layer similar
to an FTM printer. The printer features
automatic extruder calibration and bed
leveling based on a software analysis of
the part to be printed. There are two
extruders. One dedicated to printing
metal, and the other for an interface
layer printed between the part and its
supports.
With no loose metal powder or hazardous
lasers, this process eliminates safety
requirements often associated with metal
3D printing while enabling new features;
like closed cell infill for lightweight
strength. During the print, a removable
print sheet is held in place by the
vacuum bed beneath it providing a smooth
secure platform. Once the print is
complete, the vacuum disengages and the
print sheet in part are easily removed
from the printer.
The flexible sheet is designed to allow
for easy removal of the part without
damaging it during transfer. In the debinder
the parts are immersed in fluid.
As primary binder is removed, an open
pore structure is formed throughout the
part, in preparation for sintering. With a
low emission design, it requires no
external ventilation. Automatic fluid
distillation and recycling means that
there is no need to refill between each
cycle. Once the cycle is complete, the
parts are ready to go into the furnace
no protective gear or drip dry required
Fully automated and sized to fit through
an office door, the furnace delivers
industrial strength sintering in an
office friendly package. The furnace
features two on-board gas canisters that
are easily removed and equipped with
RFID tracking devices. It is equipped
with a disposable binder called trap
liner, for safe and easy disposal of
binder removed during sintering. Built-in
temperature profiles are tuned to every
builder material to ensure uniform
heating and cooling heated to
temperatures near melting remaining
binder is removed and metal particles
fuse together causing the part to
densify up to 96 to 99.8% designed to
simplify post processing the ceramic
release layer printed between the part
and it supports doesn't bond to the
metal enabling separable supports that
are easily removed by
hand. The result is a near net shape part
with the strength accuracy and
resolution needed for functional
prototyping. The studio system brings
metal 3D printing to the engineer,
providing the only safe, cost effective,
and easy to use solution for printing
complex metal parts in-house.
