03-08-2022: Desktop Metal introduced a new line of metal 3D printers, the X-Series
It was a rebranded portfolio of ExOne, acquired a year earlier
On March 8, 2022, Desktop Metal announced a major rebranding of ExOne's 3D printers as part of a broader plan to integrate the company, which had been acquired in the fall of 2021. The acquisition was key to strengthening Desktop Metal’s portfolio in its flagship binder jetting technology for metal 3D printing. As a result, the X-Series was introduced, consisting of sand and ceramic 3D printers based on ExOne’s technology.
The X-Series included three models developed from existing ExOne systems before the acquisition. The InnoventX was designed for the research, academic, and low-volume production sectors. The X25Pro was a mid-sized 3D printer already used for serial manufacturing. The X160Pro was the world’s largest metal binder jet 3D printer, featuring a build volume of 800 x 500 x 400 mm (31.5 x 19.7 x 15.8 inches).
This product line complemented Desktop Metal’s existing lineup, which included the Studio System, Shop System, and Production System.
The binder jetting technology used in these machines featured a patented method called Triple ACT. This process relied on precise powder dosing using an ultrasonic vibrating hopper, which minimized particle clumping and improved print accuracy. The powder was then evenly spread by a knurled roller, while another roller compacted the material. Separating these steps made it possible to achieve higher-quality prints before the sintering process.
X-Series 3D printers were capable of processing a wide range of materials with particle sizes from 3 to 100 microns. The final parts reached densities of 97-99% or higher. Additionally, the surface roughness of printed parts was as low as 4 µm (Ra) immediately after sintering.
Today, with Desktop Metal facing financial difficulties, the future of this technology is uncertain. It is well known that ExOne’s solutions significantly outperformed Desktop Metal’s original binder jetting technology. However, this advantage never truly translated into the promised sales of the machines.
Source: www.desktopmetal.com
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