FAQs

The maximum build rate of the Studio System™ printer is 16 cc/hr. The average print rate (inclusive of acceleration and deceleration, printhead switches, etc.) is approximately 6 cc/hr when printing with the "standard" print profile at 150 μm layer height.

Desktop Metal’s Fabricate™ software automatically generates support structures required to stabilize your part during both printing and sintering. The software also automatically creates a Ceramic Release Layer™ in between the part and its supports, both of which are printed in metal. The Ceramic Release Layer is deposited with a second printhead during printing and enables the fabrication of complex geometries and multi-component assemblies as it resists sintering in the furnace, allowing for easy, manual separation of the part from its supports after sintering.

Shrinkage in the Studio System™ process occurs during the sintering step and depends on the material. That said, regardless of material, parts are typically expected to shrink in size by about 15%. Shrinkage is relatively uniform, with slightly more shrinkage in the z-direction (as printed).

Fabricate™ software calculates estimated shrinkage based on the selected material and print profile, and automatically applies the appropriate scaling factor to the model before printing.

Most parts printed with the Studio System™ contain infill, which not only reduces print and debind time, but also enables lightweighting -- a key advantage of additive manufacturing. With the Studio System™, users have the ability to adjust infill spacing using the custom settings in Fabricate™ software. Reducing the space between infill toolpaths increases part strength and fabrication time while increasing infill spacing results in a reduction in part weight and fabrication time. Parts that have thicknesses less than 8.5 mm can be printed without infill by using an increased shell thickness.

Yes, sintered parts out of the furnace can be post-processed similar to parts manufactured via traditional methods, including machining, heat treating, welding, grinding, etc. If your application requires specific tolerances for critical features or surfaces, you can do a quick machining operation to achieve those on the sintered part.

The Studio System™ furnace sinters parts under vacuum with low flow rates of inert gas. Depending on the material, the gas used by the furnace to achieve this environment may either be an argon / hydrogen forming gas, or pure argon. Sintering under vacuum allows for high material densities and consistent material chemistry while using a minimal amount of inert gas.

Tolerances for the Studio System™ will be similar to casted steel parts. If an application requires specific tolerances for critical features or surfaces, parts can be easily and quickly machined (e.g. using a bridgeport) after sintering.

Generally, if a part costs > $200 to manufacture using traditional methods or takes a few weeks to obtain via outsourced manufacturing, is needed in low volumes, or is difficult to machine (e.g. needs a 5-axis machine or multiple fixturing set ups) then it is probably a good candidate for the Studio System™. One other great criterion is any part that may eventually be die cast or sand cast in larger volumes — these parts are great to prototype on the Studio System and eliminate the need for upfront tooling.

Desktop Metal will provide build prep software for use with the Shop System™ that facilitates uploading parts, generating supports, nesting builds, and slicing as well as sending files to the printer for processing. Customers will be able to use leading third party additive manufacturing build preparation tools (e.g., Materialise, Autodesk, and more) and import nested build boxes into the Shop System™ software. In the future, we anticipate supporting direct integrations for third party software tools to the printer, although this will not be available at launch.

Theoretically, the entire Shop System™ print bed can be printed as one part, a 350 x 222 x 200 mm block (for the 16L Shop System™ printer configuration). However, larger parts are (i) more delicate to handle in the “green state” after printing and (ii) more likely to distort and/or crack during sintering. For best results during printing and sintering, we recommend limiting the part size to 150 x 100 x 50 mm.

Shop System™ parts experience shrinkage during the sintering of roughly 15-20% depending on the geometry and the dimensions. Shrinkage is calculated and automatically compensated for in the accompanying Shop System™ build preparation software.

Supports (or "setters") are not required for the Shop System™ binder jetting process — during printing, parts are supported by the loose powder in the build box.

However, depending on the part geometry (for example, parts with large overhangs), setters may be required during sintering in order to maintain tolerances and minimize the likelihood of distortion or cracking. Customers can use the Shop System's build preparation software to generate supports automatically — in this scenario, customers can print the software-generated “live” metal supports in conjunction with the parts in the build box, and they will shrink along with the parts during the sintering process.

For larger quantity parts or for parts that may not require a significant amount of support, reusable ceramic setters (similar to those used in metal injection molding processes) may be a more economic alternative than printing “live” metal supports -- although these must be designed and manufactured separately.

Tolerances for the Shop System™ will be similar to casted steel parts. If an application requires specific tolerances for critical features or surfaces, parts can be easily and quickly machined (e.g. using a bridgeport) after sintering.

The Shop System™ will support a broad range of metals, ranging from stainless steels to tool steels and other super alloys. At launch, 17-4PH Stainless Steel will be qualified for use with the Shop System™ and available for purchase from Desktop Metal or Authorized Resellers.

The Shop System™ is a turnkey solution including everything you need to go from digital file to sintered metal part — software, hardware, and consumables. Desktop Metal metal powders and proprietary binders are engineered to maximize print repeatability while optimizing yield and sintered part properties. To ensure system performance and part quality, the Shop System™ will only support consumables (including metal powder, binder, and printheads, among others) purchased from Desktop Metal or Authorized Resellers. Any use of third party consumables or materials may void the Shop System™ warranty.

The Shop System™ prints using loose metal powder, so adequate ventilation is required in addition to the power, electrical, and other physical / interface requirements set forth in the Shop System™ Site Prep Guide. Companies are required to design facilities to meet all local, regional, national building code, fire code, and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) requirements. Adequate ventilation takes into consideration these applicable requirements as well as room layout, existing equipment on hand, materials processed, and procedures utilized, in addition to the specific requirements of the equipment provided by Desktop Metal.

Please contact your Authorized Desktop Metal Reseller or contact our sales team if you are interested in learning more about facilities requirements and getting access to the Shop System™ Site Prep Guide.

Pricing for the Shop System™ printer starts at just MSRP $168,000 for the 4L build box configuration and includes 1-year of warranty and DM Care onsite support. For full turnkey solution pricing including additional processing equipment plus installation and starter kits, contact your Authorized Desktop Metal Reseller or contact our sales team.

Prices are in US Dollars and do not include taxes or shipping & handling fees. Prices may vary by region.

Each Fiber™ subscription includes access to our state-of-the-art Fabricate™ software for use with the printer. Fabricate™ automates support generation (if required) and slicing while allowing you to tailor part properties by adjusting the quantity and direction of continuous fiber μAFP™ tape used in your parts. Customers will also receive access to new releases and software updates for Fabricate™ as they become available.

Materials will be available for purchase at the following MSRPs:

Chopped Fiber FFF Filament

• $149: 1 FFF Filament Spool PA6 Chopped Carbon Fiber (1kg)
• $149: 1 FFF Filament Spool PA6 Chopped Fiber Glass (1kg)
• $849: 1 FFF Filament Spool PEEK Chopped Carbon Fiber (1kg)
• $849: 1 FFF Filament Spool PEKK Chopped Carbon Fiber (1kg)

Continuous Fiber µAFP™ Tape

• $149: 1 μAFP™ Tape Spool PA6 Continuous Carbon Fiber (50cc)
• $99: 1 μAFP™ Tape Spool PA6 Continuous Fiber Glass (50cc)
• $449: 1 μAFP™ Tape Spool PEEK Continuous Carbon Fiber (50cc)
• $449: 1 μAFP™ Tape Spool PEKK Continuous Carbon Fiber (50cc)

Prices are in US Dollars and do not include taxes or shipping & handling fees. Prices may vary by region.

Fiber™ utilizes a dual-deposition print process involving a µAFP™ tool head that deposits continuous fiber tape paired with a FFF tool head that extrudes chopped fiber filled thermoplastic filament. To switch between the tool heads, Fiber™ uses a robotic tool changer architecture, which enables future expandability and is capable of storing up to four tools, including additional FFF tool heads for future enhancements such as soluble support material or automated in-process inspection.

Only one μAFP™ tool head is necessary to deposit the full range of available continuous fiber μAFP™ tapes.

Separate FFF tool heads are needed to print chopped fiber filaments with Nylon (PA6) thermoplastic material versus PEEK or PEKK high temperature thermoplastic material. All Fiber™ subscriptions include an FFF tool head for printing Nylon (PA6) with chopped fiber filament, while Fiber™ HT subscriptions include an additional FFF tool head for printing PEEK and PEKK with chopped fiber filament.

The Fiber™ printer and µAFP™ tool head are capable of steering; however, we are still optimizing the process and software for this feature, so it will not be available at launch. In the meantime, it’s important to consider that steering around holes or curves may not add significant value when the primary load paths for a part are along an axis of the structure. Additionally, with Fiber™, you can achieve tailor the material properties of your part by alternating the direction of the linear tape paths from layer to layer.

Unlike traditional composite hand-layup processes, with Fiber™, parts come out of the printer ready for use with no post-processing required. Customers always have the option to post-anneal PEEK and PEKK parts or machine parts if desired to obtain improved properties or refine geometries.

In order to ensure part quality and process simplicity, customers can only purchase materials from Desktop Metal or Authorized Resellers. Any use of third party materials violates the Fiber™ Subscription Agreement and may void your Fiber™ subscription.

For commercial customers, Fiber™ is currently only available via a hardware-as-a-service subscription; there is no option to purchase the printer outright or at the end of your subscription term. For government and education customers we can offer outright purchase options for Fiber printers. Contact [email protected] for additional details.

Introductory pricing for US Fiber™ subscriptions starts at $3,495 per year for the Fiber™ LT or $5,495 per year for the Fiber™ HT, each with a minimum 3-year term (billed annually).

Introductory pricing for EMEA and APAC Fiber™ subscriptions starts at $3,995 per year for the Fiber™ LT or $5,995 per year for the Fiber™ HT, each with a minimum 3-year term (billed annually).

All prices are in US dollars and do not include taxes or shipping & handling fees.

Each Fiber™ subscription includes a small amount of starter material to help with installation and getting started. Beyond this, subscriptions do not include any additional material. Material will be available for purchase separately on an as-needed basis (both chopped fiber FFF filament and continuous fiber μAFP™ tapes) on Desktop Metal’s website or via Authorized Resellers.

Fiber is scheduled to begin shipping in Fall 2020 in the US and internationally soon after.

If you order now to lock in your Fiber™ subscription at a limited time introductory price, your subscription term won’t commence until Desktop Metal ships your printer. We’ll send you an email with additional details 14 days prior to shipment, including information on any applicable taxes or shipping & handling fees.

Each Fiber™ subscription requires a minimum 3-year term, during which you are billed annually.

We currently only accept orders online with payments towards your first year subscription fee. If you are interested in paying for all 3 years up front, reach out to your local Desktop Metal Authorized Reseller or contact [email protected]

After your minimum 3-year term is complete, your subscription will auto-renew on an annual basis. We will email you as a reminder at least 30 days prior to each auto-renewal so you can opt out and cancel your subscription if desired. Otherwise, your subscription will renew, and we will charge the applicable annual subscription fee to your payment method on file.