Announcing Titanium for Desktop Metal Studio System 2
Desktop Metal has expanded their material portfolio after qualifying Titanium for the Studio System 2 – a more accessible platform than legacy powder bed fusion 3D printing alternatives.
With its high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, Titanium alloy Ti-6AI-4V (Ti64) is ideal for high-performance production applications in aerospace and defense, automotive, and oil and gas industries.
Their biocompatibility also makes them desirable for medical applications like surgical devices and implants.
Typical applications include:
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- Specialty automotive components, including connecting rods and gearboxes for racing
- Prototyping of medical devices, including tweezers, forceps, clamps, suture instruments and more
- Consumer goods, including sporting goods and jewelry
“We are excited to be the first to commercialize the most common titanium alloy, Ti64, for 3D printing. Titanium has been a challenging material for bound metal 3D printing because it is both extremely reactive in powder form and difficult to sinter,” said Jonah Myerberg, co-founder and CTO of Desktop Metal.
Ti64 joins 17-4 PH Stainless Steel, 316L Stainless Steel, H13 Tool Steel, 4140 Chromoly Steel, and Copper as core materials available for use with the Studio System 2 now.
Shipment for Ti64 will begin from September 2021.
Application Example #1 – Machine Bracket
Designed using a gyroid lattice infill and titanium in place of 17-4PH stainless steel, the machine bracket produced with Ti64 maintains the required functional strength and stiffness while having reduced weight and material.
Impossible to produce with conventional manufacturing due to the resulting geometry, the new design 3D printed in Ti64 on Studio System 2 saw a part weight reduction by 59 percent.
Application Example #2 – Drone Coupling
A drone coupling is used to fasten two assemblies together on a drone frame.
Battery life is usually one of the main challenges that drones face, and is predominantly determined by the drone’s weight.
Significant weight reduction is enabled with the titanium coupling, while maintaining the structural integrity required for the drone frame.
No tooling or machinery are required if it’s mass produced, as the Studio System supports low volume production of this part in 15 to 25 pieces weekly.
Application Example #3 – Fuel Injector Nozzle
Critical for safe and reliable operations in the aerospace industry, fuel injector nozzles are responsible for driving fuel into a burner for propulsion.
The part features internal channels that can result in enhanced burner performance but is impossible to create with conventional manufacturing.
With the Studio System 2, the nozzle can be produced in Titanium which is ideal as it is able to withstand extreme temperatures and pressures while remaining lightweight. Many design variations can be printed in just days with as many as four versions of the nozzle printed in under 24 hours.
Application Example #4 – Telescope Focus Ring
A mobile telescope has several lenses that are held in place by small telescope focus rings, and also houses multiple motors that are used to position and focus the lenses during operations.
By 3D printing the rings in titanium, it ensures that all components are lightweight which reduces wear while driving down the overall assembly cost.
In comparison, conventional manufacturing would mean a hefty investment in expensive tooling or custom fixturing which would not make sense as this part is typically produced in low volumes.
Up to six focus rings can be 3D printed in less than 24 hours, and be ready for installation in a matter of days.
Visit our Desktop Metal Studio System product page for more information, or contact us for more information.
