Equispheres’ Aluminium Powder Qualified for 3D Systems’ DMP Flex 350 and DMP Factory 350 AM Machines!

At Formnext 2024, Equispheres, based in Ottawa, Canada, has entered into a strategic supplier agreement with 3D Systems of Rock Hill, South Carolina, enabling the use of Equispheres’ North American-made aluminium powder in 3D Systems’ DMP Flex 350 and DMP Factory 350 Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) Additive Manufacturing machines. This collaboration aims to enhance additive manufacturing (AM) capabilities, particularly in industries such as automotive and aerospace.

During extensive testing, the aluminium powder from Equispheres has demonstrated impressive results. The use of this material on the DMP Flex 350 machine has shown the potential for up to a 50% increase in productivity, with an average density of 99.8%. Additionally, a build rate of 49.7 cc/hr at 60 µm layer thickness has been achieved, providing an edge for industries requiring high-volume production of high-quality parts. The improved performance is expected to enable faster build speeds for manufacturing automotive and aerospace components like lightweight brackets, heat exchangers, and passive RF hardware.

Evan Butler-Jones, Vice President of Product & Strategy for Equispheres, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating that the use of their advanced aluminium powders results in significantly faster printing compared to traditional powders. This translates to reduced part production times and lower per-part costs. He emphasized that combining Equispheres’ innovation with 3D Systems’ DMP Flex 350 and DMP Factory 350 machines would help push past the current limitations in speed and repeatability for production applications.

Marty Johnson, Vice President and Product & Technical Fellow at 3D Systems, also shared enthusiasm about the new collaboration, noting that Equispheres’ advanced aluminium powder material will allow 3D Systems’ customers to produce high-quality, precise parts with their DMP Flex 350 and DMP Factory 350 printers. Johnson highlighted the importance of working with innovative companies like Equispheres to push the boundaries of additive manufacturing and production applications.

Aluminium has long been valued in additive manufacturing due to its lightweight nature and excellent heat transfer capabilities. The consistent powder size and characteristics of Equispheres’ aluminium ensure consistent mechanical properties, making it ideal for sectors requiring high precision and repeatability. These include automotive production, aerospace, defence, and energy sectors.

By leveraging this advanced material, both companies aim to make significant strides in additive manufacturing, increasing production capabilities and providing more efficient and cost-effective solutions for manufacturers across various industries.