FX10’s new ability to print metal will accelerate adoption to the factory floor
Markforged has announced its new FX10 metal kit, which is an industrial engine for metal printing. The company claims this to be a 'world-first' 3D printer that can print both metal filaments and composites with continuous fibre reinforcement (CFR).
Shai Terem, CEO of Markforged said: “Customers no longer have to choose between a metal and a composite printer. Years of R&D investment and field experience have come together to provide an all-in-one solution for 3D printing to provide immediate return on investment once installed on a factory floor.”
Originally released in November 2023 as a composite-only printer, the FX10 is getting an update to allow it to print metal filaments as well. Designed to be the more versatile tool on the factory floor, the metal kit adds to the printer's modular architecture which enables customers to add value to the printer after purchase. The metal kit has a swappable print engine specifically designed for metal printing. This contains a metal-specific print head, material feed tubes, routing back, and dual pre-extruders. Each swap takes roughly 15 minutes to complete and can be swapped between metal and composite as many times as needed.
Terem added: “The FX10 supercharges other equipment on the factory floor to be better utilised and run more efficiently, increasing productivity and reducing potential line-down events.”
A new 316L stainless steel metal filament has also been released onto the market by Markforged to accompany the FX10 Metal Kit. This allows users to print in 17-4PH, with support for future releases of metal filament.
Terem added: “We designed the FX10 to be a modular platform so that we are able to release new innovations and upgrades without customers having to purchase a new printer every year. Along with new software capabilities we release regularly, the FX10 Metal Kit is poised to provide continuously growing value on factory floors for years to come.”
The new innovations also increase printing speed. The 5th generation CFR print system inside the FX10 increases the speed of printing by two times compared to previous composite printers, whilst the second generation metal FFF engine is the fastest metal printer from Markforged. Increased print speed is coupled with increased print volume, allowing the new machine to print twice as much volume compared to previous Markforged industrial metal printers.
Metal filament and ceramic release filament are used to create metal prints, separation and removal are supported by a ceramic release which is extruded as an interface between the parts. Wash-1 and sinter-2 solutions must be used after a print is completed, as completed prints must be washed and sintered. Markforged’s print management software and slicer automate the process, which can account for shrinkage during sintering.
Markforged's Digital Forge can be integrated into existing manufacturing ecosystems and is an additive manufacturing platform to enable every aspect of the FX10. Users can monitor fleet performance from a central location and share parts across the organisation.
To see the FX10 metal kit in action visit the International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago, Illinois from September 9–14, located at booth 432305. The FX10 will be continuously printing both fibre-reinforced composites and metal.
