AM service FKM Sintertechnik to install voxeljet VX1000 HSS 3D printer

FKM Sintertechnik, one of the largest additive manufacturing service providers in Germany, will be expanding its production capabilities with the addition of voxeljet’s VX1000 HSS 3D printer. The hardware acquisition is part of voxeljet’s VX1000 High Speed Sintering beta program and will complement FKM Sintertechnik’s existing production fleet of over 40 3D printing systems.

Specializing in metal and polymer laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), FKM Sintertechnik offers AM services to industrial clients in automotive, aerospace and mechanical engineering. The company was drawn to voxeljet’s VX1000 HSS system for a number of reasons, including its high throughput, large size and low powder refresh rate. The polymer AM system, which was first announced in late 2020, offers a significantly larger build volume than comparable LPBF systems (1000 x 540 x 180 mm). The machine was also designed with industrial production in mind: the system is networked and digitized, it offers a higher rate of powder recycling and it can reach printing speeds of up to 7,300 cm³/h independent of the packing density. For FKM Sintertechnik, this will translate to higher throughput production, a lower cost per part and larger build capacities for PA12 plastic parts.

“Our broad customer portfolio requires maximum flexibility in production,” said Jürgen Blöcher, Managing Director of FKM Sintertechnik GmbH. “We have been closely monitoring the development of HSS technology, and thanks to the VX1000 HSS, we will soon own a system that meets our requirements for flexibility and cost-effectiveness in equal measure. The VX1000 HSS’s higher productivity, combined with a lower powder refresh rate compared to SLS systems, will position FKM to deliver decisive economic advantages while allowing us to print a wide variety of parts in one job with maximum flexibility.”

FKM is the latest company to join voxeljet’s beta program for its large-format system, which already includes other participants such as automotive supplier Brose. In fact, with this latest partnership voxeljet has hit the threshold of its beta program. “We are pleased to have FKM as a partner. As an early adopter of additive manufacturing, FKM’s expertise in polymer printing will be enhanced with the use of the VX1000 HSS,” commented Rudolf Franz, COO of voxeljet AG. “Our large-format printer will provide users like FKM with significant cost advantages over other powder bed-based processes available on the market today. Our open-source approach also contributes to this.”

The VX1000 HSS 3D printer will be installed at FKM’s headquarters in Biedenkopf, Germany in Q2 2024. Currently, another voxeljet system, the more compact VX200 HSS is being used to train FKM staff on voxeljet’s high-speed technology.