Desktop Metal, Inc. (NYSE: DM), a global leader in additive manufacturing technologies for mass production, in collaboration with Sandvik Additive Manufacturing, a world-leading producer of gas atomized metal powders, and a top five global automotive manufacturer, today announced that copper alloy C18150 has been DM Qualified for binder jet 3D printing on the Production System™.
- Also known as chromium zirconium copper, C18150 is a high-strength, high-conductivity copper alloy commonly used in thermal transfer applications, such as electrical connectors, welding electrodes, as well as other electrical and electronic components
- A global automaker is now testing a unique 3D printed part design, which is being developed for a future production application, in C18150 using Sandvik’s Osprey® metal powder
- Desktop Metal and Sandvik Additive Manufacturing will discuss details of this joint automotive project during a presentation at AMUG 2023, held March 19-23 in Chicago
- With the addition of C18150, Desktop Metal now offers a world-leading 23 metal materials on its binder jet 3D printing systems, which includes the Shop System™, Production System™, and X-Series platforms
Copper alloy C18150 is now qualified for binder jet 3D printing on the Desktop Metal Production System™ as part of a serial production project with a Top Five global automaker.
The Production System platform features high-speed Single Pass Jetting (SPJ) technology on two models: the P-1, for research and development of binder jetting projects for serial production, and the P-50, the world’s fastest metal binder jet system, offering the lowest cost per part, with SPJ technology.
Sandvik Osprey developed and provided C18150 powder that routinely delivered as-sintered densities of 98-99% when printed on the P-1, allowing the automaker to deliver a unique component design that is targeted for high-volume production on the Production System™ P-50 after additional development.
Chromium zirconium copper offers a combination of strength, conductivity, and corrosion resistance that makes it suitable for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications. It’s also able to withstand service temperatures up to 500°C, making it ideal for certain applications in the automotive industry.
“We are proud to announce that chromium zirconium copper is now a qualified material, bringing our world-leading portfolio of binder jet materials to 23 metals,” said Ric Fulop, Founder and CEO of Desktop Metal. “Simultaneous with our C18150 announcement, we’re also announcing 304L qualification on the Shop System and Ti64 customer-qualification on the Production System, which demonstrates how our Team DM experts are collaborating with customers on application-specific material and part qualification projects for future Additive Manufacturing 2.0 production.”
Desktop Metal and Sandvik will discuss details of this project at AMUG 2023, held March 19-23 in Chicago. The topic will be part of a panel discussion from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 23, in the Joliet Room at the Hilton Chicago. The company will also provide an update on binder jetting of Ti64 and Al6061.
Our Material Qualification Process
Because Desktop Metal binder jet technology can 3D print almost any powder, the company has a tiered material qualification system for metals to signify the varying levels of material property results produced by our technology:
- DM Qualified: Printing and sintering profiles developed by DM, with fully characterized material and mechanical properties. Meets MPIF or other similar standards, where available.
- Customer-Qualified: These materials have been qualified by our customers with their own standards and are being successfully printed for their own applications.
- R&D Materials: Initial testing completed by DM demonstrating binder and process compatibility. Printing and sintering profiles are under final development.
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