Introduction
The Desktop Metal Shop is a metal 3D printing solution by Desktop Metal which utilizes a binder jetting process. It is best suited for batch metal printing, and the parts are ready for prototyping, end-use or further post-processing through any traditional techniques. The parts produced are solid metal and have a consistent surface finish.
“It works a bit like inkjet document printing, but instead of jetting drops of ink onto paper, the print head jets microscopic binder droplets onto a fresh bed of metal powder. Once baked, this holds parts together long enough to excavate and sinter them into fully dense metal parts. “
Learn more about the capabilities and technology supporting the Desktop Metal Shop system.
Images by: Terrapin Works and Desktop Metal
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The DMS system is a high volume metal 3D printing solution
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Fully solid metal parts, with high repeatability and good mechanical properties
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No post-sinter processing necessary - no support and easy to remove from the build area
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Lower cost than other, laser-based processes
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High accuracy and resolution
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DMS uses Binder Jetting, which is powder bed based process:
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A piston and roller distribute a fine layer of powder in the build area
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An COTS inkjet head deposits binding agent in the desired geometry using 70000 micronozzles
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This process repeats several hundred (or thousand) times to define 3D geometry
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The entire build box is then cured in an oven to cure the parts to a "green" state
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The build box is excavated to remove the green parts from loose powder, and all loose powder is recycled back into the process
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The green parts are sintered at ~1400 C for several hours in order to fuse the green parts into solid stainless steel
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Design guidelines for the DMS system can be found on the category page
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1600 dpi resolution in XY
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40-100 micron resolution in Z
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17-4 PH Stainless Steel part with maximum wall thickness of 1 inch
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Tunable layer parameters
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Dozens or hundreds of unique parts can be printed in a single batch
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DMS Furnace
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DMS Printer
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2 Immersion, explosion-proof vacuums
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DMS Powder Station
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DMS Drying Oven
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DMS Blender
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There are two utility cabinets on the furnace
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The left utility cabinet holds gas canisters that could be used for the studio system, but is useless for the shop system
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The right utility cabinet contains the binder trap and compressor (where oil can be filled)
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The furnace door can only be opened when the system is vented, by the up and down arrows on the side
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The touchscreen is on the front right, and can be used to perform all standard machine functions
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The e-stop is on the front right, and can be used to shutdown the machine during emergencies
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There are two exhaust pipes which come out of the back of the furnace
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These feed into tee-connectors, for condensate to collect in the clear plastic bottles
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The condensate bottles should regularly be checked to see if they need to be emptied
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The other end of the tee should feed into an external exhaust line
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There is a VCO type fitting connection for external gas on the back of the furnace
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The external gas used is hydrogen balanced argon (3% hydrogen)
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The gas pressure can be adjusted with the regulator and briefly loosening this fitting to allow gas to flow, or by running a Purge Gas Line operation on the furnace
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The furnace operates using several powerful infrared heaters, which heat the retort in full vacuum
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These heaters are fragile and expensive, DO NOT touch them
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The retort is made out of graphite, and serves to direct forming gas in laminar flow over the parts inside
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There is a steel bell which serves as the top part of the vacuum chamber, and must seal to the lower portion with the O-ring shown
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The O-ring shown should be maintained and kept clean, but should not be exposed to any fluids besides DI water when cleaning
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The white insulation is silica based - proper PPE should be worn whenever the chamber is open
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There are three utility cabinets on the DMS printer
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The left utility cabinet holds the binder cartridge and fines jar
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The center utility cabinet holds the overflow keg
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The right utility cabinet holds the waste overflow containers
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The touchscreen is the main interface with the machine
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E-stop, white power on button and blue reset button are located below the display
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The water inlet (for the humidifier) goes into the rear panel
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The small rear panel has to be removed to replace the tube or service the humidifier
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There is a water overflow which must go into an overflow bin
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The ethernet connection goes into the rear panel
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The power cord and main breaker for the machine are behind the electrical panel
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The print area is humidity controlled and should not be open without reason
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Both carriages inside the printer area are disabled when the printer door is open
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The left carriage is the printhead carriage
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The right carriage is the spreader carriage
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The printhead cap seals and increases the longevity of the printhead in between prints
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The spit pad essentially catches excess binder that may be left near the printhead or on the printhead nozzles
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The powder overflow chute and tray directs and filters powder that is spread over the edge of the print area and allows it to fall into the overflow keg
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The build area is where powder is spread onto and binder jetted down on top of in order to create part geometry
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The powder piston holds metal that will be used during the print, incrementally raising and exposing more powder to the spreader carriage
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The area surrounding the print area and powder piston are used to control and catch any extra powder
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One vacuum is run throughout the entire print, and is powered by compressed air
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This vacuum MUST be grounded with the grounding clamp whenever in use
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The other vacuum is run during any other powder processing tasks, such as cleaning parts, cleaning the printer, or transferring powder (this one is powered with electricity)
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Both vacuums have a separable bottom, and the vacuum bags reside here
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The vacuum bags are immersed in water, which must be properly disposed
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The powder station is primarily used to excavate parts and participate in the post-print process
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There is a lower utility cabinet, which holds:
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Blend keg
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Waste jar
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Sieving screen
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Dosing chute
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This area should be kept as clean as possible
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There is a cyclone separator on the side of the powder station, with a fines jar and vacuum inlet
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The vacuum and fines jar should always be installed when using the powder station
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The upper chamber of the powder station has brushes in the door for the operator
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Always hit the door a few times and allow metal powder to settle before opening
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The station should never be used to excavate parts with the door open
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The main interface on the powder station is the screen and arrow keys up front, and the white power button to the right
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The handle of the drying oven turns counter clockwise to open
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The drying oven should NEVER be opened without proper PPE
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The main interface is up front, and has several buttons to interact with the menus
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E-stop and power switch are to the right of the main interface
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The exhaust lever is at the back of the drying oven
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The blender has a single powered roller and an idler roller
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The lid also has an interlock, so it cannot be run with the lid opened
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There is a one button, status light and e-stop button on the right
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