China3D printingNet August 9th, titanium is the lifeblood of metal 3D printing. Since the technology was originally promoted by the aerospace and weapons sectors, it has become the metal of choice for its high strength-to-weight ratio. Now Desktop Metal (NYSE: DM) equips its Studio Systems 2 with a qualified titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V (Ti64), making it one of the first office-friendly machines that can use titanium for 3D printing one. One of Desktop Metal’s first customers in this field appears to be Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, whose new startup Privateer Space aims to clean up space junk.
Studio System 2 3D printer. Image courtesy of Desktop Metal.
In addition to high strength and light weight, Ti64 is also the most widely used titanium alloy due to its corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. For this reason, it is used in various industries such as oil and gas, automobiles, and medical. Desktop Metal claims that titanium parts made with Studio System 2 provide yield strength of 730 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 845 MPa and elongation of 17%, which exceed the ASTM F2885-17 of metal injection molded surgical implants. standard.
Jonah Myerberg, co-founder and chief technology officer of Desktop Metal, said: “Titanium has always been a challenging material for combining metal 3D printing because its powder form is extremely reactive and difficult to sinter. “We are very happy. Become the first company to commercialize the most common titanium alloy Ti64 for 3D printing through our Studio System 2 solution, which opens the door to easier production of high-performance titanium parts. “
One of the users of this material so far is Privateer Space. The company was founded by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak (Steve Wozniak), dedicated to solving the problem of space junk caused by the proliferation of space satellites.According to China3D printingNet understands that the company is still in stealth mode and plans to attract public attention at the Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technology (AMOS) conference to be held in Maui, Hawaii from September 14 to 17, 2021.
Use Studio System 2 3D printer stand made of titanium. Image courtesy of Desktop Metal.
In the press release, Wozniak explained the role that Desktop Metal’s technology will play in his startup’s mission to monitor and clean up space objects:
“Titanium 3D printing is extremely valuable in industries such as aerospace, because this material can support complex and lightweight designs. With Studio System 2, the team at Privateer Space will be able to pave the way for our satellite design and launch The economics and lightweight capabilities required by the road. This technology is indeed a differentiator in helping companies accelerate space innovation, and through the material advancements that Desktop Metal is making, we have an excellent opportunity to collaborate and Keep space accessible for future generations.”
Alex Fielding, the executive chairman of Privateer Space, explained on LinkedIn how the company will use 3D printing. The company plans to 3D print a satellite chassis through Desktop Metal, which will fly in space in the first quarter of 2022. Fielding wrote:
“Today I am very pleased to announce on Desktop Metal about Ti64-qualified Studio System 2. DM continues to lead in 3D metal printing; with Titanium and Privateer, fast, high-precision additive manufacturing capabilities are brought into space. Privateer is very happy to be the release partner of this version and is constantly impressed by the newly discovered features. Privateer and DM will have a 3D printed satellite chassis space in the first quarter of 2022. Please stay tuned for more content coming soon! “
From left to right, the drone coupling, fuel injector nozzle and the telescope focusing ring 3D printed in titanium using Studio System 2. Image courtesy of Desktop Metal.
Desktop Metal showcased multiple applications of its new materials, including machine supports with gyroscopic lattice fillers. By 3D printing Ti64 parts, the weight has been reduced by 59%. Another example is the telescope focusing ring, which is used to fix the lens on a mobile telescope. With 3D printed parts, smaller motors can be used, reducing overall cost, weight, and wear. Studio System 2 can make six focus rings in less than a day and does not require expensive tools. The UAV coupling used to connect the components in the UAV frame is also 3D printed. Desktop Metal emphasized the impact of weight on the battery life of drones, and pointed out that 3D printing the part can help reduce weight and extend battery life. It further pointed out that Studio System 2 can make 15 to 25 drone joints per week. Desktop Metal also 3D printed a fuel injector nozzle with internal channels to improve burner performance. With Desktop Metal’s technology, engineers can iterate the nozzle design and 3D print up to four versions in 24 hours.
In a press release, Desktop Metal stated that once its Ti64 material starts shipping in September, it will “be the first and only company to commercialize this material for extrusion-based combined metal additive manufacturing technology. Company.” This is not entirely true. Although the closest competitors Markforged and ExOne/Rapidia are still in the development stage of extrusion system titanium products, Virtual Foundry has provided a product called Ti64-5 Filamet for 3D printing. The company’s materials can be 3D printed using almost any extrusion 3D printer. After printing, these green objects must be degreased and sintered in a standard kiln.
However, unlike the aforementioned companies, Virtual Foundry’s business is not to create a strictly controlled ecosystem for its products. Although the laboratory can test its countless metal and ceramic filaments, each material is not strictly designed to run on a specific machine with optimized parameters. Therefore, companies such as Desktop Metal, Markforged, and ExOne/Rapidia may be providing more direct and predictable products out of the box. They also have financial and business support to create a user experience that can produce usable parts faster and more reliably, thus winning them customers like Privateer Space.
(Editor in charge: admin)
0 Comments for “Titanium 3D printed satellite bracket used by Desktop Metal”