Rochester Institute of Technology installs ElemX metal 3D printer

The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) recently purchased and installed a Xerox ElemX 3D printer from Xerox Elem Additive Solutions at their AMPrint Center in Henrietta, NY. RIT will utilize the printer in their collaborations with manufacturers for research and product development as they focus on next-generation metal 3D printing technologies.

RIT is a longtime collaborator with Xerox in the additive manufacturing (AM) space, and one of the early liquid metal AM adopters. The AMPrint Center faculty have years of experience involving metal additive manufacturing with a primary focus on aerospace applications. The installation is the result of a successful industry-university collaboration and both parties will continue to work together to scale the ElemX for new commercial and industrial applications.

“RIT has already been a great partner in helping to advance our liquid metal AM technology and we believe the installation of the ElemX at the AM Print Center will be important to further refine our solution,” said Tali Rosman, GM of Elem Additive. “Partnering with advanced research facilities like RIT that collaborate with manufacturers will be key to scaling up the adoption of our technology within the industry.”

ElemX is a safer and simpler metal 3D printing technology addressing supply chain resiliency for transportation, aerospace, defense and industrial manufacturing. Until now, the ability to 3D print aluminum consistently and reliably has challenged the market. Unlike other metal 3D printing technologies, there are no hazardous metal powders with ElemX and no need for PPE or other considerable safety measures. Engineered to bring simplicity to the supply chain process, ElemX is the ideal option for spares, repairs and low-volume production parts.

Denis Cormier, a professor of industrial and systems engineering and director of RIT’s AMPrint Center, is an expert in additive manufacturing technologies. Cormier is dedicated to leading the development of innovative 3D printing technologies that will impact the manufacturing sector.

“Liquid metal AM is a technology poised to tackle on-demand production of replacement aluminum parts to minimize inventory costs,” said Cormier. “Collaborating with industry partners like Elem Additive is an important part of our work here at the AMPrint center to maximize the capabilities of AM technology. We believe the ElemX has the greatest potential for industrial growth and scalability.”

The installation at RIT’s AM Print Center builds on previous ElemX installations at the Naval Postgraduate School and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, two other advanced research facilities that are focused on increasing the adoption of metal AM in manufacturing.