Desktop Metal has announced it has qualified D2 tool steel – a high wear, stable, and corrosion resistant material – for use on its ‘office friendly’ Studio System 2.
Desktop Metal says it is the first company to offer the material in a two-step bound metal additive manufacturing process, allowing customers to leverage its process to produce parts for high-strength D2 applications such as cold work metal forming tools, dies, punches, and injection moulds with conformal cooling channels.
The Studio System 2 leverages Desktop Metal’s Bound Metal Deposition (BMD) technology to produce parts. The easy, two-step process – allowing parts to be transferred directly from the printer into the furnace – reducing post processing requirements and eliminating the need for loose powders and lasers.
Consisting of a printer and furnace, the Studio System 2 is set up for in-house low volume production of a wide range of complex geometries.
In addition to D2, the Studio System 2 is compatible with Ti64 and 316L stainless steel, as well as all materials previously supported by the Studio System, including 17-4PH stainless steel, 4140 low-alloy steel, H13 tool steel, and copper.
“D2 tool steel has traditionally been a challenging and expensive material to work with,” said Desktop Metal CTO Jonah Myerberg.
“With this material now available on the Studio System 2, we’ve streamlined production of D2 parts to just two simple steps for improved affordability and accessibility. We are excited to be able to offer our customers this new material with higher hardness after heat treatment than all of the other Studio System materials qualified to-date, unlocking new applications that require tooling material grade strength.”
