Introducing a virtual tour where you can visit Digital Metal. Please click the link in "Related Information." Welcome! We manufacture small, high-precision metal parts. We have produced 100,000 parts over about four years (as of 2017). Let's start from the printing preparation. This time, we are manufacturing a whistle. The whistle is formed with the ball inside as a single piece, requiring no assembly. We confirm that there are no defects in the CAD data, correct for sintering shrinkage, and place it in the print box to slice at 42μm. The printer builds layer by layer. Metal powder is solidified with a binder, and the process of lowering by 42μm is repeated for each layer. It can be formed in the atmosphere without a protective environment, and no support is needed. Next is powder removal. The removed powder is recycled and reused. At this stage, the part takes shape. Next is sintering. Up to this point, the powder is solidified with a binder. The binder is removed, and the metal powder is heated to about 1400°C to sinter the metal particles together. The surface roughness after sintering is 6μm. It can be finished to 3μm with blasting treatment and to 1μm with super finishing. During inspection, dimensions and density are measured. That's the process. Finally, a functional test remains. Now it's your turn!

The cutting-edge Digital Metal binder jetting technology has already produced 300,000 parts. The commercial machine DM P2500 mass-produces 40,000 parts per year. In 2018, it was decided to deliver to companies in the automotive and aerospace sectors. Additionally, a concept for the automation of 3D printers was announced, taking a step into the future. - Most of the process is handled by robots - Robots transport the build box to the printer - Robots carry the box to the powder removal device - Powder is removed using CNC control - Unused metal powder is recycled without degradation - Pick-and-place robots place parts onto plates - Robots transport the plates to the debinding and sintering furnace Ralph Karlström of Digital Metal states, "Other AM technologies propose a low level of automation, but we will change that. Automation improves productivity and reduces costs. Powder can be automatically recycled without waste and applied to mass production. We are confident in the potential of our technology. It is not only fast and cost-effective but also capable of complex and detailed designs with a wide range of materials." Next exhibition: 1/30-2/1/2019 TCT (Tokyo), 2/6-8 Next Generation Printer Exhibition (Tokyo)

The comparison test conducted by CETIM, the French national research organization, on Digital Metal's unique binder jetting method and laser beam melting method (LBM, also known as SLM) for metal 3D printers yielded very attractive results. The results indicate that Digital Metal's productivity significantly surpasses that of LBM while also reducing the cost per part. The binder jetting method has the following characteristics compared to the laser beam melting method: - Productivity: 5 times higher - Manufacturing cost: 1/3 - Surface quality: Average surface roughness about 1/3 - Shape: No support needed Verification conditions (Width: 23.3mm, Height: 23.7mm, Weight: 21.7g) You can view an interview with CETIM engineers in the related product "Digital Metal(R) Case Study 2 (Comparison Edition)." Next exhibitions: January 30 - February 1, 2019, TCT (Tokyo), February 6-8, Next Generation Printer Exhibition (Tokyo).

The catalog page for Heganas's metal 3D printing powder solution "AMPERPRINT" has been completed (English version). Heganas offers a wide range of products including nickel alloys, cobalt alloys, and iron alloys. ■ Nickel Alloys 738LC, 625, 718, 247LC, NiCrFeMo (HX), Haynes 230, 282, etc. ■ Cobalt Alloys CoCrMo, etc. ■ Iron Alloys 316L, 17-4PH, 15-5PH, FeNiCoMo (18Ni300), FeCrMoSiVCMn (1.2343, 1.2344), etc. Please feel free to inquire about other compositions.

Digital Metal has added a new material lineup to its small complex shape metal 3D printing technology. In addition to the existing stainless steels SUS316L and 17-4PH (SUS630), Ti6Al4V is now available for mass production. Ti6Al4V is widely used in the industry and is known for its high strength and hardness, while also possessing high ductility and corrosion resistance. One of its features is weight reduction, allowing for a 45% reduction in weight compared to conventional steel materials. Products made from Ti6Al4V by Digital Metal have properties equivalent to the international standard ISO 22068 for MIM. Specializing in small complex shape metal products, Digital Metal employs a unique binder jetting metal 3D printing technology that combines excellent detail with high reproducibility, high dimensional accuracy, and high surface quality. For more details, please refer to the catalog.

Recently, Crown Princess Victoria of the Swedish Royal Family and Prince Daniel visited our factory in Sweden. During the visit, they toured the renewable energy plant managed by Heganes and observed the 3D printing process at Digital Metal's factory. The latest binder jetting metal 3D printer, Digital Metal, is currently attracting attention. If you would like to request technical materials or wish to view sample printed products, please feel free to contact us.

The first 3D printer exhibition in the Hokuriku region was held from November 15 to 16, 2018, organized by Mita Shokai. The Toyama Wholesale Center Distribution Hall, which served as the venue, welcomed many visitors each day, and many people visited the Digital Metal booth. Thank you very much for your attendance. Customers who viewed the exhibits created using the binder jetting method expressed their thoughts, saying: "Can such fine details be achieved with metal!" "The concept of manufacturing is changing." "I would like to request sample creations." The schedule for the next exhibitions is as follows. We look forward to your visit. ● TCT JAPAN 2019 January 30 (Wed) - February 1 (Fri), 10:00-17:00 (3 days) Tokyo Big Sight: 6P-25 (Hall No. 6) ● Next Generation Printer Exhibition February 6 (Wed) - February 8 (Fri), 10:00-18:00 (Friday until 17:00) Tokyo Big Sight: West 4-40 (West Hall 1)

We have added Japanese subtitles to the video introducing the binder jetting metal 3D printer Digital Metal and its contract manufacturing page. The video explains the manufacturing process of binder jetting technology in Japanese. Additionally, the contract manufacturing page has been revised to present the steps in a simpler format. For more details, please click the link under "Related Information" at the bottom of this page. We look forward to your viewing and use.

In October 2009, a new customer support service center called the PoP (Power of Powder) center was opened at Heganes, where the innovative helical gear molding system from Alvier, a leading European manufacturer of powder metallurgy molds (Switzerland), has been introduced and is actively used for the prototyping of sintered transmission gears. This system breaks the common belief that high-pressure molding cannot be done for high-load helical gears, such as transmission gears (due to the bearings in the rotating mechanism not being able to withstand it), enabling high-density molding of over 7.4g/cc and allowing for faster molding than before. As a result, new capabilities for prototyping and testing evaluation of high-load helical gears have been added, facilitating the development of sintered transmission gears for our customers. Japanese customers are also very welcome to use this service. Why not try it out first and experience its capabilities for yourself?

In the new version of the electromagnetic field analysis software JMAG-Designer scheduled for release in December 2015, we will conduct a comprehensive update of the data for our soft magnetic material "Somaloy." We encourage all JMAG users to utilize Somaloy in their product design and development.

Heganes is working to expand the applications of metal powders as the world's No. 1 manufacturer and supplier of iron and metal powders. One example of this is the development of automotive transmission gears made from metal powders, which had previously been deemed impossible. Through years of material and process development, we have demonstrated that powder metallurgy technology can challenge conventional methods. We are confident that cost-effective powder metallurgy technology is practical for transmission gears, as proven by our validation tests. The validation tests were conducted on two cases: a compact car and a competition vehicle. For the compact car, we confirmed that there were no issues, including wear and noise, after actual road tests covering 80,000 km. Furthermore, it was also demonstrated that the technology can be used without problems in rally cars under more severe conditions. Heganes provides all solutions related to high-load sintered gears, from material selection to optimal processes and assembly support. From May 18 to 20, 2011, at the "Automotive Technology Exhibition" held at Pacifico Yokohama, we will showcase a real vehicle of the compact car Smart used for validation tests, as well as actual displays of gearboxes and gears. We invite you to visit our booth No. 155 and experience the feasibility of sintered gears.

As a new customer support service from Heganas, the PoP (Power of Powder) Center will open on October 15, 2009, at Heganas' headquarters in Sweden. In addition to the existing technical service functions, new prototype manufacturing and support for trial and evaluation have been added. We will provide integrated services from the idea stage of customer development to prototype manufacturing and product commercialization, including not only sintered parts but also SMC parts.