Metal Expansion Kit This Ultimaker kit, containing a print core and a reel of BASF Forward AM Ultrafuse 17-4 PH filament, can be used with the company’s S5 fused-filament-fabrication 3D printer. The 17-4 PH grade of stainless steel is widely used for many end products, including machinery parts, tools, spare parts, jigs and fixtures. By just swapping in the new print core and loading the filament — which the printer automatically recognizes — users can print what is known as a “green” metal part, which requires post-processing steps before it can be put to use. The kit also includes packaging to ship a green part for post-processing (debinding and sintering) at a BASF-certified service provider, and a voucher for that service.
What’s new? The Metal Expansion Kit.
Benefits Production versatility. With no permanent hardware modifications, users can add metal printing capabilities to their existing printer. The company said that, compared to using direct metal laser sintering or CNC machining, metal 3D printing with its printers provides an affordable way to produce small nonstandard or auxiliary components, as well as extrusion dies and inserts for processing thermoplastic parts. The kit is available at a suggested price of $699.
Ultimaker North America, Framingham, Mass., 617-714-4748, www.ultimaker.com
David Tillett | Associate Editor
Associate Editor David Tillett writes and edits for Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing, Plastics Recycling and The Journal of Blow Molding. He covers new products, industry news, patents and consumer and business equipment. He has more than 20 years of experience in daily newspaper, online and magazine journalism.
