Desktop Metal Introduces Vacuum Furnace

Desktop Metal has launched the PureSinter Furnace for high-purity, one-run debinding and sintering of powder metal parts.

PureSinter is compatible with powder metal parts 3D printed with additive manufacturing, such as Bound Metal Deposition (BMD) and Binder Jetting (BJT) processes, as well as traditional metal injection molding (MIM) or press and sinter (PM) manufacturing methods.

“Rather than trying to simply mitigate the factors that lead to poor performance in an all-in-one debinding and sintering furnace, we have eliminated them with an innovative all-new design,” says Ric Fulop, founder and CEO of Desktop Metal. “This is the first product from Desktop Metal aimed at manufacturers using both additive manufacturing and traditional manufacturing methods.

“We have put the PureSinter through a prolonged period of testing to rigorously verify our new design, and it has exceeded all expectations. PureSinter is an exemplary demonstration of the innovation for which Desktop Metal and our engineers are known. We believe this furnace will revolutionize sinter-based AM and the traditional furnace industry.”

A video showcasing the new PureSinter design and performance is available at TeamDM.com/PureSinter.

New Furnace Design

In development for more than 5 years, PureSinter reinvents furnace design from the ground up to eliminate traditional furnace challenges with a new approach. PureSinter features hot walls that prevent contamination buildup and an airtight processing environment to ensure efficient waste exit and high levels of purity.

PureSinter has undergone extensive testing and shows little to no contamination or buildup inside the furnace, even after hundreds of runs. PureSinter delivers quality sintered parts, the company reports. Even titanium can be sintered with much confidence, according to Desktop Metal. 

The PureSinter furnace is compatible with all of DM’s metal printer platforms and binders, and the system is currently validated with 14 metal powder and DM binder combinations, including stainless steels, tool steels, superalloys, and reactives. Additional material validations are in process.

PureSinter can reach a maximum temperature of 1,420°C and is qualified for use with a variety of processing gasses, including argon, nitrogen, forming gas, and air. The system also features a total of 17 fans and a pop-out ceiling vent for active, rapid, and consistent cooling as well as fast turnaround times. Importantly, PureSinter does not require cold walls with expensive water-cooling features. 

The PureSinter features an oxygen-tight retort seal and a cooling system. The electrical requirements are 200-220V, 40A; 380-415V, 20A, 3ph, 50/60hZ. With a maximum power draw of 15.2 kW, PureSinter has a holding steady state power draw of approximately 7 kW at 1420°C.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.