Desktop Metal

Desktop Metal is a 3D printing company based in Burlington, United States. It was founded in 2015 with the goal of making metal and carbon fiber printing available to engineers, designers and manufacturers. The company builds additive manufacturing systems aimed at production, with a focus on binder jetting and area-wide printing platforms. Its portfolio spans printers, furnaces, materials and applications for metal parts, ceramics and composites.

Systems and furnace

• Shop System and Studio System: metal printing platforms for batch production of dense parts and for office-friendly prototyping.
• X Series: binder jet printers with patented Triple ACT technology for surface quality and specialty metals and ceramics.
• PureSinter furnace: a vacuum furnace that combines debinding and sintering in one step.

Materials and goals

The site lists metals, polymers, ceramics and composites among its materials, including DuraChain 2-in-1 pot photopolymers and Flexcera. It also describes work on upcycled materials such as wood for production use. The stated aim is to bring 3D printing to mass production, with resin work aimed at end-use products. A resource center publishes guides on binder jetting for metal production, and its case studies cover metal 3D printing applications for production users.

The company says most of its platforms are based on binder jetting and that it is investing in area-wide printing methods, such as binder jetting and digital light processing. A 40-page guide in its resource center covers laser-free metal binder jetting for production. One case study describes Azoth, which uses binder jet technology for small, complex metal components and a digital inventory model it calls Take One Make One.

Key facts

• Based in: Burlington, United States
• Founded: 2015
• Products: Shop System, Studio System, X Series, PureSinter furnace, DuraChain resins, Flexcera
• Markets: engineers, designers, medical professionals and manufacturers