First XJet AM system in US is up and running at Youngstown Business Incubator

XJet completed installation of its XJet Carmel 1400 AM system at Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI), Ohio. The system is the first in the US and will deliver previously unheralded levels of detail and accuracy to researchers at Youngstown State University, the entrepreneurs at YBI, as well as the America Makes partnership program collaborating with YBI.

“We’re delighted to be working with such a progressive organization as YBI. America Makes’ mission is a grand one, so we’re delighted to be a part of driving a new manufacturing era in Ohio with its rich history of traditional manufacturing. As the first installation in the US it also represents a significant milestone for XJet as the region represents huge market potential for the business.”

Hanan Gothait, CEO and Founder of XJet

“We believe additive manufacturing can help businesses be more competitive and attract investment to the region,” stated Barb Ewing, CEO, Youngstown Business Incubator. “Although there are still some issues commonly seen in additive manufacturing today, XJet technology solves many of them. First and foremost, the detail you get from the high resolution offered is outstanding. For many businesses, particularly in the healthcare sector, this could remove the final barrier to using this technology.”

The Carmel 1400 AM System uses the company’s patented NanoParticle Jetting technology to print ultrafine layers of ‘inks’, enabling the production of ceramic and metal parts with the ease and versatility of inkjet printing. Parts produced on XJet systems enjoy superfine detail, smooth surfaces and high accuracy due to the unique printing process.

“The nano level particles in XJet technology afford us an opportunity to make extremely precise and detailed products that we’ve previously been unable to do,” added Mike Hripko, Associate VP Research Youngstown State University. “Now that we have the XJet equipment up and running we anticipate a significant number of new business opportunities at Youngstown State University.”

Home to America Makes, the Youngstown Business Incubator is a leading university-associated incubator for businesses in Ohio. YBI supports the development of successful digital businesses, advancing women’s and minority entrepreneurship, and furthering advanced manufacturing technologies, such as additive manufacturing. America Makes is the nation’s leading collaborative partner in advanced manufacturing and 3D printing technology research, discovery, creation and innovation.

Rob Gorham, Executive Director America Makes, commented: “Our members are telling us they need alternative material solutions, they need alternative process solutions. We believe XJet brings tremendous capabilities to the membership. By delivering near-net-shape of parts, post processing and final machining is reduced. It’s going to allow us to enhance some of the functionality that we can drive into the parts through advanced design technologies. Another challenge that the industry is facing is the lack of material choices. In terms of material options, the opportunities surrounding ceramics could be transformative in the industry.”

Installation of the Carmel 1400 AM System took place in January 2018 and went live within a day or two. “We were pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to get the piece of equipment installed. The team has been tremendously supportive and really worked through all of the issues so that it was truly a plug-and-play process for us,” said Ewing.