Desktop Metal to launch 3D printed sheet metal technology for cars, airplanes

Sept 7 (Reuters) – U.S.-based 3D printer maker Desktop Metal Inc (DM.N) plans to launch a new technology as early as Wednesday that will greatly simplify the process, Chief Executive Ric Fulop told Reuters. Industrial sheet metal production process.

Fulop added that Figur G15 technology enables on-demand forming of standard sheet metal directly from digital design files, eliminating the need for stamping tools, dies, dies or presses, reducing costs and production lead times.

“It’s a $300 billion market and there’s no digital solution right now,” he said, adding that the Figur G15 will be launched at a trade show in Chicago on Wednesday.

The Massachusetts-based startup’s clients include BMW (BMWG.DE), Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) and billionaire Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX.

3D printing, which allows layers of plastic or metal particles to build complex shapes, is seen by Washington as an innovation that will allow American manufacturers to flourish and create jobs.

Fulop expects the first generation of the new technology to handle the mass production of sheet metal parts for aircraft, agriculture and heavy equipment.

In automotive assembly, however, the technology will be able to handle small to medium batches of sheet metal forming and stamping, he added.

“It can initially support production of less than 10,000 cars a year,” Fulop said. “I believe we will reduce stamping demand significantly over the next two decades.”

Currently, the technology can only form sheet metal parts that fit into its 1.5m x 1.2m 3D printer envelope, and can handle front and back shapes up to 40cm vertically, according to a company statement seen by Reuters. .

Reporting by Norihiko Shirouzu; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Himani Sarkar

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