The University of Sheffield is installing a Desktop Metal Studio System at the Royce Translational Centre.
Two UK manufacturing centres have become the first customers in the UK to take delivery of Desktop Metal 3D printing systems.
Working with UK reseller Tri-Tech 3D, the University of Sheffield and global engineering solutions firm Weir Group, are the first UK organisations to implement Desktop Metal’s office-friendly Studio System, which is already being adopted by major companies such as Ford, BMW Group and Google ATAP.
Last month Desktop Metal announced it had begun shipping its systems to customers and resellers throughout Europe. The Studio System is a three-part bind and sinter metal additive manufacturing system designed for rapid prototyping at low volume and cost, and efficient production of tooling, jigs and fixtures. A study by Desktop Metal earlier this year found that many parts produced using the Studio System demonstrated drastic cost reductions, some up to 90% relative to machining and selective laser melting (SLM). The company says upwards of 10,000 parts have been produced on its systems to date.
The University of Sheffield is installing the system at the Royce Translational Centre. Royce@Sheffield forms part of the university’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering and is a major partner of the Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials. It comprises the Royce Translational Centre (RTC), and the Royce Discovery Centre,.
Prof Iain Todd, Director at Royce Translational Centre said: "Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) is a critical part of the strategy for many high-value manufacturing sectors, as they look to reduce material waste and increase productivity. ALM covers many technologies, and with the Studio System, we are expanding our set of advanced 3D metal printers, which already includes electron and laser beam powder beds, and blown powder methods. Our industry partners range from start-ups to multinational aeronautical manufacturers: for them we represent a valuable missing link between small-scale laboratory metals processing and industrial scale manufacturing. The Desktop Metal Studio System keeps us at the cutting edge of near-net shape manufacturing capabilities in the UK.”
Sozon Tsopanos, Head of Additive Manufacturing at Weir Group commented: “The additive manufacturing arena is dynamic, growing rapidly as a market, and presents exciting opportunities for innovative companies such as Weir. We are continuing to partner with world-class organisations as we proactively develop our additive manufacturing offering. The addition of this versatile system complements our existing capabilities at Weir Additive Manufacturing Solutions, allowing us to explore, prototype, test and commercialise components and tooling that will deliver significant benefits for our Mining and Oil & Gas customers globally.”
