3D Printing Metal and Advanced Composites

A 3D-printed metal bolt is removed from Markforged’s FX10 printer. Markforged

Billed as the world’s first, the FX10 3D composite printer with the FX10 Metal Kit print engine from Markforged Holding Corp. is said to enable printing both metal filaments and composites with continuous fiber reinforcement.

“Customers no longer have to choose between a metal and a composite printer,” said Shai Terem, CEO of Waltham, Massachusetts based Markforged. “Years of R&D investment and field experience have come together to provide an all-in-one solution for 3D printing to provide immediate return on investment once installed on a factory floor. The FX10 supercharges other equipment on the factory floor to be better utilized and run more efficiently, increasing productivity and reducing potential line down events.”

The company also announced a new 316L stainless steel metal filament to be used with the kit. In addition, users will be able to print 17-4PH with additional support for other Markforged metal filaments in the future.

The FX10 Metal Kit consists of a swappable print engine that includes a metal-specific print head, material feed tubes, routing back and dual pre-extruders. An FX10 can be swapped between metal and composite as many times as needed. A swap takes about 15 minutes.

Metal prints are built from the metal filament and a ceramic release filament. The ceramic release is extruded as an interface between the part and supports for ease of separation and removal. Once metal prints are completed, they must be washed and sintered in company’s Wash-1 and Sinter-2 solutions.

For more information, call 866-496-1805 or visit www.markforged.com.