ExOne and Rapidia launch the world’s fastest, office-safe, metal 3D Printer

Partnering with Rapidia, ExOne has just launched the world’s fastest, office-safe, metal 3D printer. In an exclusive collaboration, the companies have released a complete metal 3D printing system comprising the ExOne Metal Designlab™ and X1F advanced furnace. The novel solution will be marketed and sold solely by ExOne. The Metal Designlab and X1F advanced furnace is said to deliver Print Today, Parts Tomorrow™ performance, based on Rapidia’s proprietary two-step method of 3D printing and sintering water-bound metal parts.

The machine incorporates a nozzle for building designs in HydroFuse™. HydroFuse is a water-based paste that contains either metal or ceramic powders. HydroFuse in an environmentally friendly solution which, by replacing 98% of the binder with water, evaporates during the 3D printing process, allowing parts to be directly placed in the furnace. This method does not require the chemical or thermal debinding necessitated by competing bound metal systems. As such, the sintering process is accelerated by days, and terminates the need for a debinding unit. This also removes the limit placed by other solutions on the thickness of solid parts, normally necessary for successful debinding. This solution is thus able to produce strong solid parts that are suitable for an increased number of end-use applications.

Rapidia’s proprietary two-step system. (Photo Credit: ExOne)

A user-friendly, safe, and affordable solution

The 3D printer is said to be as easily operated as an entry-level plastic printer. Not only is the Metal Designlab compatible with ExOne’s user-friendly, easy to use software, but the printing process itself mirrors those that print with plastic. Moreover, as the materials are bound in paste, thanks to HydroFuse, there is no loose powder.