High-definition parts for industrial production cited as drivers for the investment
XJet Ltd. and Azoth, have announced today that additive manufacturing specialist, Azoth, has received XJet’s first Carmel 1400M metal AM System – the only metal and ceramic material jetting system in the world. Repeatable, quality parts suitable for industrial production were the main reasons cited by Azoth for the investment.
“We have a huge wealth of experience in metal manufacturing – with both additive and subtractive processes. XJet’s metal system delivers capabilities that are in high demand in the market, but are not achievable with other technologies,” asserts Scott Burk, Azoth CEO, “Parts with fine features, high resolution, good surface finish right off the printer – at a level we have not seen before. The ease-of-use and safety working with the XJet system, that does not involve handling powders, is another important factor for us.”
Azoth 3D is supported by the EWIE group of companies (EGC) who are specialists in high volume metal manufacturing for some of the biggest manufacturers in the world including Ford, Chrysler, John Deere and Rolls Royce. Azoth was established when EGC leaders realized additive manufacturing would eventually replace subtractive methods. “With additive manufacturing anything you can think of you can make. And now, not only can you think it, but you can mass produce it,” says Burk.
Burk and Cody Cochran – Azoth General Manager and Co-Founder – were screening the market looking for a solution to serve market demand for small, complex, high-definition parts, which they couldn’t do with existing powder-bed fusion or binder jetting systems. “My eureka moment came when we got some test parts through from XJet and I asked the team how they looked, and they responded that they were the best they’d ever seen.”
“What we really liked were the small holes, very sharp corners, very refined surface finish without needing any post-processing,” comments Cochran, adding, “We’re also impressed with the science behind XJet’s NanoParticle Jetting™ technology. It prints with very small particles, smaller than other technologies. These characteristics allow for process advantages, smaller layer heights and smaller features.”
Hanan Gothait XJet CEO mentions, “We have developed the only metal AM technology available today based on the concept of direct material jetting. After an amazing success with the XJet ceramic systems, we are now ready for the bigger dream, bringing to the market our metal solution. It gives me great pleasure to know that our first user of the metal AM system is Azoth, with so much experience in metal manufacturing and in metal AM. Getting the recognition from such a market leader for the quality of parts we can make has made the entire journey, and the long wait for this system, worthwhile.”
In addition to quality of parts, Azoth expects to see operational advantages with the XJet Carmel system, “One of the main advantages of Azoth’s approach is going from prototype to production with the same process, which XJet technology is perfectly suited to support,” asserts Cochran. “We will be able to take parts from a multitude of industries, such as automotive, medical, tooling, etcetera and prototype them, refine them into end-use components and bring them to production with the same machine. No expensive additional tooling or lengthy lead times.
“Making end-user parts, requires precision, accuracy and repeatability from part to part. By almost automating the entire workflow, as XJet does, we think we can achieve true repeatability.”
XJet CBO Dror Danai comments, “Azoth is all about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in additive manufacturing, so they’re the perfect customer for our first metal AM system. Azoth is a unique operation that already has extensive experience in metal – both traditional and additive manufacturing – and is deeply involved in the manufacturing of the parts made for its customers, selecting the most appropriate technology and developing the applications. I’m eager to see how they will use the system and the new groundbreaking applications they already tested and are eager to further develop.”
On 16th May 2022, just before the Rapid+TCT show opens its doors, interested parties can see the XJet Carmel 1400M live, producing premium parts in stainless steel, at an open house hosted by XJet at Azoth’s Ann Arbor facility (just a 45-minute journey from Detroit, where RAPID+TCT takes place).
www.xjet3d.com