A Comprehensive List of DED 3D Printers on the Market

Directed Energy Deposition (DED) is a metal printing process that operates in three dimensions by adding material layer upon layer. The added material, whether in the form of a powder or a metallic wire, is melted using a focused energy source such as a laser, an electron beam, or plasma. This innovative process has a significant advantage in that it can repair existing parts by depositing material directly onto the object. Moreover, 3D DED printers are typically equipped with a multi-axis robotic arm and nozzle, making them ideal for manufacturing larger parts. Our objective today is to provide an overview of the 3D DED printers currently available on the market, irrespective of the energy source used.

The Addilan

Addilan is a Basque company that specializes in metal additive manufacturing, with a focus on WAAM 3D printing technology. Their machines are specifically designed to enable medium to large-scale production. Addilan offers two different solutions based on the print volume of the machines – the P1200-4x and the 1000-5X. Both machines are equipped with a closed and inert environment, featuring a specialized loading and unloading system to ensure high-quality parts during the production process. The machines provide hybrid production, incorporating CNC manufacturing for surface finishing of parts. Addilan’s 3D printers have the capability to process steel, titanium alloys, super alloys, and aluminum alloys, offer automatic calibration, a heated platen, and can achieve a deposition rate of up to 6 kg/hour.

The P1200-4x Addilan (Photo credit: Addilan)

BeAM’s Magic 800

AddUp’s DED machine line includes the Magic 800, their flagship product. Originally developed by BeAM, this 3D printer is now owned by the French manufacturer. AddUp offers several models in their product range, including the Modulo 250 and the Modulo 400. However, the Magic 800 offers the largest manufacturing volume, with maximum dimensions of 1200 x 800 x 800 mm. The machine uses material deposition under concentrated energy, with a 2kW laser and two print heads, making it suitable for demanding applications, particularly in the aerospace sector. The Magic 800 is also designed to be user-friendly, allowing the user to change the nozzle during the manufacturing process in just a few seconds. This feature offers greater precision, which is crucial for this technology. Finally, the Magic 800 has an argon-based system that makes the 3D printer’s enclosure inert, enabling the use of reactive powders and the production of parts in titanium or aluminum.