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.