Already, the 3D printing industry has seen a rapid increase in commercialization. This has led to huge growth in certain verticals such as ceramics and metal. Recent research suggests that ceramic 3D printing could be worth 384 million US dollars by 2025. The metal market, which is considered one of the fastest growing in the AM sector, is expected to surpass $18B by 2032 for understandable reasons.
These materials enable 3D printing to create complex parts with excellent mechanical properties. NanoParticle Jetting™, the signature process of AM 3D printing leader XJet, is compatible with both ceramics and metals, offering an automated, safe, environmentally friendly path toward scale manufacturing of high-quality, geometrically complex parts. We spoke with the company’s CMO, Guy Zimmerman, to learn more about the technology, its benefits, and XJet’s unique approach.
3DN: Can you introduce yourself and Xjet to us?
Guy Zimmerman is my name. As Xjet prepares for growth, I was recently appointed CMO. Although I have a wide range of experience, my core expertise is in global business. Xjet is a 3D printer company that focuses on the most challenging segments of additive manufacturing: metals and ceramics. High quality, ready to use metal and ceramic parts that go into manufacturing and not into prototyping: that is the ambition using our own patented NanoParticle Jetting™ (NPJ) technology.
Xjet, a 3D printing company, is working on the most difficult segments of additive manufacturing: metals and ceramics. High quality, ready to use metal and ceramic parts that goes into manufacturing and not into prototyping, that is the ambition using our own patented NanoParticle Jetting™(NPJ) technology.
Guy Zimmerman
3DN: How does NPJ function? It has many benefits.
NPJ delivers clean, automated manufacturing of high quality parts in metal and ceramics without involving powders, manual labor, or post processing . What enables this breakthrough is XJet’s unique additive manufacturing process based on nano-particles direct material jetting, which print high-resolution parts using the toughest materials in scale. This process uses both inks and powders to print the main materials and support materials. It is a new approach in AM.
Let’s dive a little deeper into the printing procedure. This is what we call Print-Wash–Sinter. It works by using procurable material that is based on nanoparticles. We can simultaneously print the support and material, which are both very hard, but highly soluble materials. The support is then washed with water in an automatic process after the build is completed. The final sintering stage is performed in an industry furnace at a lower temperature than with powder-based solutions. This enables the highest complexity, accuracy and a level surface. This technology also eliminates design-related limitations. This technology, along with the use of thin nanoparticle layer and soluble support, allows for complex and precise geometries. This technology also opens up new design possibilities that were previously considered impossible.
Xjet has a wide range of great solutions
You get high-quality parts that are precise and of the highest quality right out of the gate. ThE-printed parts don’t require additional processing or machining. You can print, wash and sinter your parts just like the XJet slogan.
Nanoparticles also have the advantage of being able to You can print thin layers. The density level is significantly higher compared to other additive technologies, reaching highest levels of material purity, density and surface smoothness. This significantly improves the parts’ performance and reduces the sintering effect.
The sintering process transforms the particles into the material. This often causes significant shrinkage. With XJet’s technology, the process is done at a temperature lower than 200C, which saves time, boosts density, and reduces isotropic and overall shrinkage. Shrinkage remains the same along the x, y and z axes, resulting in no distortions in the final part. This innovative technology is packaged in a high-throughput manufacturing system. It’s a digital, automated process, rather than a manual, dangerous, polluting process, which results in lower-quality parts.
3DN: What are the applications for Xjet’s solutions?
Our market-leading customers are our partners in identifying specific verticals within all three industries: Consumer goods, Medical and Industrial.
Alumina and Zirconia are ceramics that offer high resistance to heat and corrosion. This freedom opens up new opportunities for industrial applications, such as. Semiconductor parts, heat exchangers, electricity connectors, waveguard antennas, and electrical board parts.
Formnext 2022 saw Xjet present
Another vertical we are focusing on is dental crowns and implants. It is one of the fastest growing medical markets. In consumer goods we focus on high value wearables like high-end earbuds (which is an intriguing application, as the printed parts are very small, nonconductive, and customized to offer top acoustic qualities), and luxury watches.
Our Carmel1400 high performance ceramic system produces many ceramic parts. Metal is a recent technology, replacing traditional MIM. It’s great for small runs and high-quality parts like hydraulic systems parts or surgical devices.
We can support many unique applications, including those that require large quantities of parts and replace several old technologies. This includes CNC, MIM (Metal Injection Molding), and investment casting. Our technology is more cost-effective than other central technologies with smaller parts.
3DN: What made Xjet launch a solution for metal?
After establishing the ceramics technology among the market leaders and technical leaders in ceramics, we completed the development of the metal portfolio with two of the most popular stainless steel materials. Metal is a larger and more diverse market. Developing the metal solution was more challenging, but we’ve reached unprecedented performance levels, even better than ceramics. After a lengthy evaluation, we brought it to market in early 2022.
It is now available, and we showcased it at Formnext 2022 with testimonials from the technology’s leading beta users. Visitors saw how the metal solution is competitive with other powder-based technologies. It offers clear advantages as an automated, clean process that can be used in a variety sector.
Xjet’s metal solution
There are many benefits to this technology. The first is that we were able create soluble support materials which can work with the metal. This is an enormous advantage for many users. Another advantage is the high quality surface of the part. It is visible right out the machine and does not require additional processing. A third advantage is the ability to produce complex parts with high accuracy. This is a huge advantage in many applications.
We can also print the entire wristband of a premium watch made from stainless steel. It might need a little bit of polishing, but that’s it. The part can be printed so precisely that the wristband bearings can be placed inside it. NJP allows users to create high-quality, precision parts in metal. This is possible because of the unique ability of jet printing versus powder. We target users who are looking to produce high-performance parts for various consumer-facing industries.
3DN: The sustainability of your processes is another thing you can be proud of. What exactly makes it eco-friendly?
It is first of all safe. The materials are safe. They come in closed bottles. There are no toxic particles and no free powder. It’s a safe process for those who operate it, which is not the case for many AM and traditional processes. It also uses the exact amount of material required for each part. It doesn’t waste any materials in an additive building process.
Our support material can be safely and easily drained. It is water-soluble. Although it contains minerals, it is safe enough to be used as drinking water. Because it virtually eliminates waste disposal problems, this is safer for both humans and the environment.
Our sintering process is more environmentally friendly than many other processes. This is the most energy-intensive part of the process. However, because it is conducted at low temperatures and for a shorter time, we can save a lot of money. These are the key ingredients that make NJP one among the most eco-friendly processes in metals and ceramics.
3DN: Last words for our readers?
NPJ technology provides three major advantages. NPJ technology has three main advantages. It is safer, more accurate and can achieve higher density by using nanoparticles. This second benefit can be found in the building process. You can print the thinnest layers and achieve unparalleled complexity and Design for Functionality. The third is the “green” element. You can clean our parts with water.
The entire process is only three steps long: print, wash and sinter. Moving forward, we believe the technology will become a major part in the digital transformation of ceramic and metal, industrial, high-quality, complex parts manufacturing. Learn more about XJet by visiting our website HERE. Or, watch the video below for a better understanding of how our technology works.
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*All Photo Credits: Xjet