BCN3D launches the new Metal Pack for stainless steel 3D printing »

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BCN3D, a leading manufacturer of 3D printing solutions, introduces the new Metal Pack featuring Forward AM’s Ultrafuse metal filaments for its Epsilon Series line of 3D printers. This will allow the company’s growing customer base to easily upgrade their equipment to keep up with the latest developments and produce strong metal parts at a lower cost. After the launch of its new BCN3D Cloud and the acquisition of Astroprint, the company continues on its path of innovation by expanding its hardware solutions.

This upgrade opens up a new range of applications for BCN3D customers, including spare parts, functional prototyping and tooling, and is primarily aimed at the pharmaceutical, food, automotive, aerospace and manufacturing industries. Parts produced by this process behave virtually identical to those produced by MIM or CNC and provide a desktop-friendly solution with much more design freedom.

The Metal Pack includes both Ultrafuse 316L and 17-4 PH, and a new exclusive metal hotend, as well as specific accessories, to ensure a smooth printing experience. After the printing process, the debinding and sintering processes can be performed externally through the current network of Forward AM authorized service providers.

“[The] The Ultrafuse metallic filament portfolio was developed based on BASF’s decades of know-how from the metal injection molding (MIM) industry. The filaments are designed for ultimate ease of handling and can be used on any open source Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) printer. We are very happy that Ultrafuse® 316L and 17-4 PH are validated by BCN3D and BCN3D has decided to activate its user base by introducing this pack,” said Firat Hizal, Head of Systems Business Group metals at BASF 3D Printing Solutions GmbH.

How does the Metal Pack work?

The process is divided into 3 steps: the printing of a part with BCN3D Epsilon 3D printers, then debinding and sintering in accordance with industry standards, carried out externally through the current network of authorized Forward AM suppliers. The result is a final piece that is almost 100% solid stainless steel.

For the printing process, Ultrafuse 316L and 17-4 PH filaments contain high levels of stainless steel in combination with polymer binders which allow easy printing. The binder content of the printed part is removed in a catalytic debinding process. The next stage is the part undergoing a subsequent sintering process at temperatures just below the melting temperature of the metal which causes the metal particles to coalesce. The material then achieves its final properties by post-sintering. For example, achieving the required performance in aspects such as hardness and resistance.

“The entire additive manufacturing industry is pursuing metal 3D printing. But the truth is that, nowadays, affordable available solutions, if any, are very rare. With the release of the Metal Pack at BCN3D, we are excited to leverage BASF’s decades of experience in MIM technology applied to metal extrusion and post-processing. In combination with our existing 3D printing ecosystem, it becomes an end-to-end and accessible solution for functional prototyping. Our customers will be able to get the most out of 3D printing by obtaining industrial quality metal parts, in a few days and without hassle. .- Eric Pallarés, CTO of BCN3D.

BCN3D Releases New Metal Pack for 3D Printing in Stainless Steel with Forward AM Ultrafuse Metal Filaments for Epsilon Series 3D Printers

Availability of the Metal Pack

The Metal Pack will include an Ultrafuse® 316L (3kg) and an Ultrafuse® 17-4PH (3kg) spool, the Magigoo 316L which is also compatible with the 17-4PH, two new Hotend M and the new BCN3D Brass Wipers for Metal. BCN3D will also release an add-on for the new BCN3D Stratos slicing software dedicated to printing with metal which will include selected print profiles for the BCN3D Epsilon series. The price will be €1,099.95 excluding taxes.

The first units of the Metal Pack will ship in January 2022 and the Pack will make its official debut at the most relevant show in the AM industry, Formnext 2021 (November 16-19), at booth BCN3D.

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