SLM Solutions and XYZprinting Showcase Latest 3D Printers at TCT Show

Today is the last day of the 22nd TCT Show in Birmingham, an important additive manufacturing trade fair where visitors have been able to see the latest products and learning opportunities displayed on multiple stages for over two decades. The goal of the TCT Show is to increase the advancement, and the acceptance, of 3D printing technology. Germany-based metal additive manufacturing technology supplier SLM Solutions Group and XYZprinting have joined several other 3D printing companies, including Prusa, Mcor Technologies, INTAMSYS, FELIXprinters, and BCN3D, in showcasing new 3D printers at the event this week.

“Last year, more than 7,000 visitors visited the fair. We had many very good discussions,” said Stefan Ritt, Vice President and Head of Global Marketing and Communications of SLM Solutions Group AG. “With our high-performance further developments and tried-and-tested applications, we will certainly score with customers in 2017. We are looking forward to an exciting TCT Show.”

The company, which has had some shake-ups in the past year as it dealt with a failed takeover attempt by GE and removed its CEO soon after, is presenting its latest products in Hall 3, booth F3, including its new SLM 280 2.0 metal 3D printer.

The highly productive open system comes with patented multi-beam technology and a 280 x 280 x 365 mm build envelope, and up to two fiber lasers expose the build field through a 3D scan optic while printing in an inert gas atmosphere. It allows for the manufacturing of high-quality, individual metal components, based on CAD data, for series production, as well as one-off production with individual parameters.

Additional specs include:

• Approximately 1300 kg; 1800 kg with powder tank
• Build rate of up to 55 cm³/h
• Variable layer thickness of 20 µm – 75 µm
• Average 2.5 l/min (argon) inert gas consumption during build process

The company has been keeping track of the steady market growth in Ireland and the UK, and has been making efforts to reinforce sales efforts there, including appointing David Wilckens as Regional Sales Manager for the UK and Ireland on June 1st. According to Wilckens, the UK has a strong research landscape, and cited the University of Birmingham‘s use of an SLM 500 to research, develop, and test “new manufacturing technologies for advanced materials.”

“I am looking forward to working very intensively with such exciting customers in the future and to many interesting discussions at the TCT Show 2017,” Wilckens said.

Top 3D printer manufacturer XYZprinting is also at the TCT Show this week, with its high-resolution Nobel Superfine 3D printer. The Superfine was first displayed at CES 2017 this winter; however, this is the first time the printer is being showcased in the UK. The Nobel Superfine is the company’s fastest, most precise 3D printer to date, and is its first Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printing solution for product designers, able to create layers that are “three times thinner than a strand of human hair.”

“We are really excited at XYZprinting to be able to bring this sophisticated technology to our customers at such an affordable price with the Nobel Superfine,” said Fernando Hernandez, MD for XYZprinting Europe. “The embedded DLP technology creates exceptionally high quality prints that will prove revolutionary to the jewellery and dental industries.”

DLP technology is unlike FFF printing, as it prints both castable and flexible resin at rapid speeds. DLP uses a digital projector screen to expose each layer of resin to UV LED. It’s compatible with various resin materials, and allows for extremely detailed prints. The Nobel Superfine can achieve a layer thickness of up to 25 microns, and X- and Y- axis resolution of 50 microns.

Other specs include:

• Dimensions: 11.4″ x 14″ x 16.7″
• Light source: UV LED λ 405nm
• Resin Cartridge: 1.1 lbs
• Weight: 24 lbs

The company is committed to offering cost-effective 3D printers to consumers, small to mid-sized businesses, and artists, and says that the Nobel Superfine is the most affordable 3D printer in its class: just £2659 from authorized resellers, making it the perfect printer for dentists or jewelers who need to make high-quality molds.

XYZprinting is demonstrating the Nobel Superfine DLP 3D printer at the TCT Show, which ends today, at Booth E45.

What do you think of these new 3D printers? Discuss this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com, or share your thoughts in the comments below.