Montfort watch dial 3D printed with Digital Metal
Digital Metal, a subsidiary of metal powder leader, Höganäs, has announced the commercial production of its DM P2500 metal printer, the industry’s first high precision binder jetting system, capable of producing small and incredibly intricate metal components.
As part of its metal 3D printing production service, Digital Metal has produced approximately 200,000 pieces in the last four years for industries including aerospace, luxury goods, dental tools and industrial equipment manufacturing.
The DM P2500 has a print volume of 2500 cm3 and continuously prints in 42 µm layers at 100 cc/hr without the need for any support structures. The DM P2500 delivers a resolution of 35 µm and an average surface roughness of Ra 6 µm before additional finishing. The process is adaptable for a variety of materials due to the sintering process which happens after printing and powder removed before the sintering step can reused resulting in high yield and low scrap rates.
“Our heritage, knowledge and experience in metal powders combined with the development and evolution of our cutting-edge printer technology has enabled us to succeed where others have failed," Ralf Carlström, General Manager, Digital Metal explained. "With the DM P2500 we are bringing to market a tried and tested 3D metal printer with the capability to produce objects with unparalleled accuracy and surface finish at high volume - from day one we delivered one-off parts in large volumes."
The first machine was confidentially sold to a global leader in fashion design and will see its new serial production items available at the end of this year. The second was installed in June at Centre Technique des Industries Mécaniques (CETIM), France’s benchmark institute and technological innovation hub for mechanical engineering, and began production in just two days.
The company will initially target key industries including automotive, dental, healthcare, aerospace and luxury fashion. Watch-manufacturer, Montfort used Digital Metal to print the dials for its watches inspired by the Swiss Alps. The technique was the only solution that allowed Montfort to make watch dials with a design and finish that resembles the mineral, crystalline structure of rocks. Meanwhile, Honeywell Aerospace and Digital Metal are exploring a number of joint 3D printing projects that will combine Honeywell’s expertise in aerospace engineering with Digital Metal’s leadership in AM.
“Now it’s time to open the market by allowing other businesses and manufacturers to take advantage of our proprietary technology and know-how,” Carlström added. “From designers that crave more freedom to industries that hoard spare parts that are never used, we want to shake up their thinking for future product design and maintenance. Items can be printed on-demand, in the singular or en masse.”
Digital Metal will exhibit at TCT Show on 26-28th September at NEC, Birmingham, UK. Visitors will be able to take part in a virtual reality experience of Digital Metal’s HQ on stand F14. To attend, register for FREE.
