BMD 3D Printing Technology Overview

Bound Metal Deposition is a metal additive process by Desktop Metal created for their Studio System that heats and extrudes bound metal rods to shape the metal part layer by layer. This technology requires no hazardous powders, no lasers and no cutting tools to ensure an accurate, fast, and safe print. In fact, no additional equipment is required besides the printer and an Internet connection.

 

 

Metal Production 3D Printed Part

 

Closed-cell infill for lightweight strength

Minimum Layer Height of 50 µm

Build rate of 16 cm³/hr (1 in³/hr)

Separable Supports

Prep

Secure, web-based software constructs build plans from your STL or CAD files to automatically generate support and control parameters based on part geometry and material

Print

Layer by layer, a green part is shaped by extruding bound metal rods (metal powder held together by wax and polymer binders) through Bound Metal Deposition

 Debind

The green part is immersed in proprietary debind fluid, dissolving primary binder and creating an open-pore channel structure throughout the part in preparation for sintering

 Sinter

As the part is heated to temperatures near melting, remaining binder is removed and metal particles fuse together causing the part to densify up to 96-99.8%

Advantages

Printed parts with Polyjet technology are smooth, polished and accurately detailed.

  • 10 times cheaper than comparable laser-based metal 3D printing technologies
  • Safe for office-use. No hazardous lasers or powders needed as all you need are power and an Internet connection
  • Remove supports by hand
  • Take advantage of a wide range of alloys through the use of MIM metal powders of existing materials

Materials

  • 17-4PH
  • 316 L
  • Incone1 625
  • ASIS 4140
  • Copper
  • H13

BMD Technical Specifications

Part Tolerance
Part Tolerance
When the feature dimension is small (less than about 60 mm), the feature has a tolerance of +/- 0.5 mm. As the feature becomes larger, the expected tolerance in the part grows with the size of the feature, at a rate of ±8 μm of error per 1 mm of feature size.
Layer Resolution
Layer Resolution
50 μm high resolution
100-220 μm standard resolution
Part Density
Part Density
Dependant on a variety of factors, including infill and shell thickness
96%-99%
Minimum Wall Thickness
Minimum Wall Thickness
1mm
Maximum Part Dimensions (Single Build)
Maximum Part Dimensions (Single Build)
24 x 16 x 16 cm (9.4 x 6.3 x 6.3 in) taking into account 20% shrinkage rate
Minimum Feature Size
Minimum Feature Size
2mm (average minimum feature size)
3mm (isolated features)
0.5mm (continuous features)
Finishes
Finishes
matte or glossy, additional finishes available as a service

Desktop Metal Studio System

The Studio System from Desktop Metal is the first truly office-friendly and affordable metal 3D printing solution. Engineering and design teams can now make complex metal parts faster than ever before with this safe, and easy-to-use system, without the need for special facilities or dedicated operators.

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