Desktop Metal: Industrial 3D Printing of Metals

Desktop Metal is an American company that has disrupted the industry by creating accessible and incredibly fast systems for metal 3D printing. Specializing in Binder Jetting technology, they offer solutions that enable the mass production of complex metal components at a fraction of the cost and time of traditional methods.

History and Technologies

Founded in 2015 in Massachusetts, Desktop Metal set out to make metal 3D printing accessible not only to the aerospace industry but also to general engineering and automotive sectors. They popularized the use of Binder Jetting for metals.

Their process involves printing a “green” part by selectively binding metal powder, followed by debinding and sintering in a specialized furnace. This allows working with various industrial alloys without the need for complex support structures.

Key Machines in the Portfolio

Their systems cover the entire spectrum – from small machine shops to massive production lines.

• Desktop Metal Shop System: The world’s most popular Binder Jetting system, designed for machine shops. It offers easy integration and high surface quality, making it the perfect solution for small to medium batches of metal parts.

• Production System P-50: An industrial giant built for true mass production. With its incredible printing speed, this system can produce hundreds of thousands of parts annually, directly competing with traditional casting and machining.

Materials and Specifications

Materials: A wide range of stainless steels, copper, and specialized alloys.

Highlight Material: H13 Tool Steel – an extremely hard steel, ideal for creating injection molds, cutting tools, and dies.

Technology: Single Pass Jetting (SPJ) on the P-50 model for maximum speed and throughput.

Target Audience

Desktop Metal’s systems are designed for machine shops, automotive manufacturers, tooling companies, and heavy industrial enterprises.

They are not suited for hobbyists, but rather for companies looking to reduce their CNC machining costs and accelerate the production of complex geometries.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Strengths: Unmatched speed for the mass production of metal parts. The Binder Jetting technology eliminates the need for heavy metal support structures, significantly reducing post-processing time.

• Weaknesses: The process requires a sintering furnace, which increases the initial investment and necessitates specific infrastructure. During sintering, parts experience shrinkage (around 15-20%), which must be precisely calculated by their software.

Where to Buy and Alternatives

Industrial systems of this scale are typically purchased through official international distributors or via direct contact with Desktop Metal’s European office. Some specialized CNC and 3D equipment integrators also offer their solutions.

If you are looking for alternatives in metal printing, you can explore Markforged (who use metal filament extrusion), HP Metal Jet (a direct competitor in Binder Jetting), or traditional SLM/DMLS manufacturers like EOS and SLM Solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)