ExOne to reveal latest metal 3D printer

3D printing manufacturer and distributor, The ExOne Company, announced two significant developments for its industry-leading metal 3D printers – German international engineering conglomerate Siemens AG becoming the first customer for its InnoventPro 3L metal 3D printer, and Swiss startup Neoshapes SA to 3D print gold, platinum and silver alloys.

Both companies will eventually utilize ExOne's latest InnoventPro 3L printer, the latest and most advanced entry-level model for metal binder jetting.

Siemens is the inaugural customer for the newest Innovent printer, which is premiering at the Formnext 2021 additive manufacturing show to be held in Frankfurt, Germany from Nov. 16-19.

The InnoventPro is slated to be on display for the first time in ExOne's booth in Hall 12.0, Booth D69, with the machine becoming available for early-access customers in the first half of 2022.

The printer will feature Siemens controls, which integrate with the printer drives, motors, and sensors, as well as Siemens MindSphere IoT operating system, which powers ExOne's Scout machine monitoring and analysis app.

Siemens will install the new InnoventPro 3L printer at its Charlotte Advanced Technology Collaboration Hub (CATCH) located in North Carolina, to develop materials and processes before scaling them up on ExOne's X1 160Pro extra-large metal 3D printer.

"We're very excited to feature the InnoventPro in our Technology Collaboration Hub, and we look forward to demonstrating how to integrate advanced additive manufacturing systems such as the InnoventPro into our end-to-end Digital Thread," said Siemens Industry Head of Additive Manufacturing Tim Bell.

The InnoventPro has been built from the ground up to give customers the most advanced entry-level system on the market in a 3-liter build area of 125 by 220 by 100 millimeters. Some of its features include:

• A new printhead that is capable of speeds topping 700 cubic centimeters per hour and the capability to print a new class of ExOne's patented NanoFuse binders embedded with nanoparticles to improve part quality and simplify sintering.

• A comprehensive powder containment system featuring the company's ergonomic X1 Powder Grip loading system, improving cleanliness.

• Triple ACT (advanced compaction technology) for precision dispensing, spreading, and compacting of ultra-fine MIM (metal injection molding) powders, to deliver an industry-leading density, accuracy, and repeatability already proven with the company's Innovent+.

Switzerland-based Neoshapes is also expected to utilize this latest printer, except for more precious sorts of metals.

Founded by experienced executives in the luxury goods industry, Neoshapes plans to scale up its current technology with the future InnoventPro 3L printer in the hopes of 3D printing gold, silver, and platinum alloys.

"Our team at Neoshapes plans to run an ambitious R&D project covering all aspects of manufacturing in order to finally allow luxury brands to benefit from repetitive batch scale manufacturing of revolutionary designs, with unrivaled quick time to market," said Stéphane Vigié, board member of Neoshapes.

As additive manufacturing capabilities continue to grow, more techniques that otherwise conventional manufacturing is incapable of will open the door to concepts and products previously impossible.

With ExOne leading the race for metal 3D printing, its latest printer is the next step toward an affordable printer that will bring metal 3D printing capabilities to laymen and hobbyists alike.