Education

_Desktop Metal®
[INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES]
Automotive
[OVERVIEW]

Developing future leaders in advanced manufacturing

[EDUCATION]

Through investments in 3D printing, educational institutions can drive the exploration and adoption of the technology. Students can gain hands-on experience by designing and producing their own functional parts, and build the skills needed for next-generation manufacturing careers.

Bringing innovative technologies to campus also allows students to explore new applications for 3D printing and can foster new collaborations between research institutions and industry.

_Case Study [A]
_Case Study [A]

Putting new production tools in student’s hands

The University of Maine is using the Studio System to train students in the use of advanced manufacturing, including metal 3D printing, and is working to help industry partners realize the benefits of additive manufacturing across a host of industries in the state.

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Leaders in learning

_Our customers

Elite colleges and universities around the world have invested in Desktop Metal products with the aim of training students and industry partners on the uses and benefits of metal 3D printing.

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology Logo
    [Massachusetts Institute of Technology]
  • Politecnico di Milano Logo
    [Politecnico di Milano]
  • Texas A&M University Logo
    [Texas A&M University]
  • The University of Maine Logo
    [The University of Maine]
  • The University of Sheffield Logo
    [The University of Sheffield]
  • Wentworth Institute of Technology Logo
    [Wentworth Institute of Technology]
  • Hebei University of Science and Technology Logo
    [Hebei University of Science and Technology]
  • Chippewa Valley Technical College Logo
    [Chippewa Valley Technical College]
  • The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Logo
    [The Hebrew University of Jerusalem]
  • The University of Texas at Austin Logo
    [The University of Texas at Austin]
  • Curtin University Logo
    [Curtin University]
  • Euc Nordvest Logo
    [Euc Nordvest]
  • University of Dayton Logo
    [University of Dayton]
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From prototyping to mass production

_3D printing solutions

Desktop Metal manufactures 3D printing solutions for all scales of production—from complex prototypes and on-demand tooling to rapid manufacture of thousands of parts.

Part Gallery

_Education applications

Educational applications for 3D printing span a variety of use cases including functional prototypes for student projects, custom tooling, jigs and fixtures, and accessible systems for research and explorative work.

  • Roller Screw

    17-4 PH
    This part is a roller screw for use in a linear actuator.

    Roller Screw

    • Size (mm) 28 x 28 x 88
      Cost to print ($) 48.00
      Cost to machine ($) 210.00
      Cost reduction 77.14%

    • This part was traditionally made by cutting the threads on a lathe, then welding two gears either end of the part.

      By printing this part on the Studio System the assembly can be consolidated into one part and be produced quicker and more affordably than traditional machining.

  • Bus Bar

    Copper
    This bus bar is used for local high current power distribution, since its gets hot while doing this, the bus bar features internal conformal cooling passages.

    Bus Bar

    • Size (mm) 188 x 73 x 43
      Cost to print ($) 272.00
      Cost to machine ($) 1994.00
      Cost reduction 86.36%

    • This bus bar design features complex cooling channels running throughout its core - requiring a multi-part assembly if manufactured via traditional methods.

      Printing in copper on the Studio System allows this bus bar to easily be made as a single component in just a few days. The part is printed as a single component and features internal cooling channels to keep the bus bar cool as power flows through it.

  • BattleBots Bot Motor Housing

    PEEK + CF
    Created for a BattleBots, this motor housing was custom-designed to hold an electric motor.

    BattleBots Bot Motor Housing

    • Size (mm) 108 x 128 x 24.3
      Cost ($) 63.68
      Weight (g) 75
      Print time (hr) 10

    • This part holds a motor in place on a combat robot used in the Discovery Channel program, BattleBots. During competition, the bots are subjected to competitors weapons, including saws, axes, and flamethrowers. To withstand the significant stresses and heat, PEEK with Carbon Fiber reinforcement was selected.

      On the show, BattleBots teams have very limited time to design and manufacture their bot, so utilizing 3DP is essential. By printing this motor housing, the team was able to get the part in their hands in just a few hours. This allowed them to quickly iterate on the part.

  • Stator

    17-4 PH
    This stator is designed for use in a small electric motor.

    Stator

    • Size (mm) 60 x 60 x 16
      Cost per part ($) 2.82
      Parts per build 460
      Annual throughput 189,700

    • This stator is part of a small electric motor that was produced in low volume, making it difficult to justify the cost of hard tooling for metal injection molding (MIM). The entire run of parts could be produced in one run of the Production System at the desired part cost and greatly reduced manufacturing lead time.

  • Impeller

    316L
    This impeller is used to control the pressure and flow of fluids in equipment like pumps and compressors.

    Impeller

    • Size (mm) 82 x 82 x 28
      Cost to print ($) 63.00
      Cost to machine ($) 2138.00
      Cost reduction 97.05%

    • Their complex vanes make impellers expensive and difficult to manufacture. When a custom impeller is needed metal 3D printing accelerates design optimization and product development by dramatically reducing lead time and cost.

  • Feedhorn

    316L
    This is a feedhorn used in a cubesat antenna.

    Feedhorn

    • Size (mm) 56 x 56 x 78
      Cost to print ($) 62.00
      Cost to machine ($) 628.00
      Cost reduction 90.13%

    • Extensive CNC machining with multiple part setups would typically be required to make this part via traditional manufacturing methods.

      Since only one of these parts was needed, printing on the Studio System was a an obvious choice. The part was produced in just a few days at a lower cost than machining.

  • BattleBots Bot Support

    17-4 PH
    This part is a structural member for use in the bot's robotic arm.

    BattleBots Bot Support

    • Size (mm) 130 x 117 x 64
      Cost to print ($) 106.00
      Cost to machine ($) 551.90
      Cost reduction 81.00%

    • This support is designed to carry a heavy load and withstand punishment. Engineers working on a bot used on a Discovery Channel program BattleBots had less than a month to produce a custom structural element on robotic arm. Using the Studio system, they were able to print a bracket capable of resisting bending and lateral motion while providing the stiffness, strength, weldability and fire resistance required.

  • Heat Exchanger

    Copper
    This heat exchanger is designed to help dissipate heat from an electric motor.

    Heat Exchanger

    • Size (mm) 83 x 57 x 33
      Cost to print ($) 78.00
      Cost to machine ($) 1193.27
      Cost reduction 93.46%

    • This part attaches to an electric motor to help dissipate heat while the motor operates.

      The Studio System allows for the heat exchanger to perfectly conform to motor shape, allowing heat to more efficiently move into the heat exchanger. Machining the tall, thin fins is challenging due to chattering as the fins are cut - printing allows for their manufacturing with ease.

  • Rocket Tail Cone

    PEEK + CF
    This part sits at the end of a rocket, redirecting air for optimal aerodynamics

    Rocket Tail Cone

    • Size (mm) 155 x 155 x 157
      Cost ($) 297.08
      Weight (g) 350
      Print time (hr) 31

    • This part has to withstand the extreme heat of a rocket engine, so it must be fabricated using a high temperature material like PEEK. With the design freedom of Fiber, engineers were also able to add complex features to improve aerodynamics.

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_Resources

Learn more about Desktop Metal 3D printing systems, 3D printing applications, and case studies in our Resources Center.

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