Markforged announces shipment of 100th Metal X 3D printer

3D printer manufacturer Markforged today announced that it has shipped over 100 units of its metal 3D printing system the Metal X to clients around the globe. The Massachusetts-based company expects to “more than double” the number of shipments by the end of the year.

Markforged, known for its composite 3D printing technologies, created huge buzz in the AM industry in early 2017 with the launch of its Metal X system for low cost metal 3D printing. Though launched in January 2017, the Metal X only began shipping in March, meaning that over 100 sales have been completed in a relatively short time span. The company emphasizes that its Metal X orders represent nearly 10% of the metal AM market.

Though there was some contention about the Markforged metal AM technology (namely, a lawsuit brought about by competitor Desktop Metal), the company has successfully overcome the allegations and is forging ahead with the marketing and sales of its metal 3D printer.

Among the benefits of Markforged’s metal AM technology are its low cost and its easy and quick installation. The company says the 3D printer gives users the ability to speed up turnaround times for product development and production, to create parts on-demand, to simplify logistics and to adjust production easily.

“Markforged – especially the Metal X – accelerated our ability to serve a higher level of the industry,” commented Russell Beck, to co-founder of Re3DTech, a Chicago-area 3D printing service that utilizes Markforged’s printers. “We’re educating more and more companies everyday on the power of additive. Customers can see the performance of the machines in an actual manufacturing environment and it’s incredible to watch them hold a Markforged-printed part for the first time. With Markforged, we nearly always exceed their expectations, and we don’t need hazmat suits or a million-dollar machine to do it.”

Greg Mark, CEO and founder of Markforged, commented on the sales milestone, saying: “Demand for affordable, strong, and safe metal 3D printing has never been greater. Markforged is drastically reducing the barriers to entry and opening up additive to more and more businesses every day. We can’t wait to see what 2019 has in store.”