Desktop Metal X25Pro Now Powered by TurboFuse Binder

Desktop Metal's X25Pro production binder jet 3D printer can now process TurboFuse—an intelligent, high-strength binder chemistry that eliminates a heating step during printing and improves already-fast binder jet 3D print speeds by 50% or more, depending on selected print parameters and material, the company reports.

TurboFuse is currently available for use on the X25Pro with 316L stainless steel, and will require purchase of an upgrade kit for existing customers. The binder is also compatible with 16 metals and one cermet, with parameter validation now underway.

Eaton, an intelligent power management company with six Desktop Metal printers, is currently beta testing TurboFuse on its X25Pro at its Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence, a part of Eaton Research Labs, in Southfield, MI.

“Eaton is thrilled to collaborate with Desktop Metal to prove this new binder technology. Using the new binder, we have reduced our print times by nearly 4x from the previous binder system,” says Eric Johnson, Ph.D., senior manager—Additive Manufacturing, at Eaton Research Labs. “This is a game changer and significantly enhances the affordability of this technology.”

Ric Fulop, founder and CEO of Desktop Metal, says the Desktop Metal team is pleased to finally unveil this new binder to the market, with availability of upgrade kits slated for Q3.

“TurboFuse is an intelligent chemistry developed specifically for binder jetting by the world’s most experienced binder jetting team at Desktop Metal,” Fulop says. “By implementing TurboFuse on the X25Pro, we have dramatically improved print speeds of the market’s most popular and trusted production binder jet system and delivered other benefits as well, such as stronger green parts and improved printhead life—all of which reduce operating and per-unit part costs.

“The entire team at Desktop Metal remains as committed as ever to binder jetting as we prepare to showcase significant customer parts produced on the X25Pro in aluminum, silicon carbide and more, at RAPID + TCT in Los Angeles,” he adds. “These parts demonstrate new milestones in binder jetting.”

The X25Pro is a mid-sized production metal binder jet 3D printer with a build volume of 400x250x250 mm (15.75x9.84x9.84 in). It is part of DM’s X-Series line of metal 3D printers featuring Triple Advanced Compaction Technology (ACT), which has discrete mechanical controls for dispensing, spreading and compacting ultra-fine powders in binder jetting. This feature enables tight parameter control across a wide range of metal and ceramic powder types and size distributions.

For more information, visit TeamDM.com/X25Pro_TurboFuse.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.