A month after Desktop Metal announced it was ready to begin shipping its Studio System to European customers, several of the metal 3D printing systems are already busy turning out metal AM parts at a number of companies across the EU. In the Benelux region, AWL-Techniek, a Dutch mechanical engineering company, was the first company to install the Studio System+.

The metal 3D printer was recently delivered to AWL-Techniek’s headquarters in Harderwijk, where it adds to the company’s existing additive manufacturing equipment. The Dutch company, which has gained experience in plastics and metal AM in recent years, plans to leverage Desktop Metal’s technology to produce robot grippers, welding fixtures and more.

“The 3D metal printer provides unprecedented new possibilities,” commented Wouter Zweers, Technology Manager at AWL. “Especially the freedom in design and the short period of time from idea to product are essential for AWL. “We see a great future in additive production of metal parts, this is an important reason for this investment. It allows us to provide our customers with quick and reliable solutions. We see great opportunities in applications such as robot grippers and welding fixtures, as well as in support of our R&D activities.”

The Studio System+, launched in September 2018, attracted AWL-Techniek for a number of reasons, including its automation, office-friendly safety and print quality. Compared to the original Studio System, the Studio System+ integrates a swappable high-resolution print head as well as an in-chamber build plate camera which live streams the print process.

“For this system, it is not required to handle dangerous metal powders and requirements to the facilities are limited,” said Luuk Nollet, Development Engineer at AWL-Techniek, about why the Studio System+ was ideal for the company. “At the same time, the system delivers high quality parts and the technology offers a future promise of scalability to high production levels. Looking to the long term future we expect that 3D printing technologies become part of our machines and services to our customers. Developing the competence and experience in this field will help us to prepare.”