ExOne has launched a new online estimating tool for companies considering moving the production of metal parts to high-speed binder jet 3D printing. The ExOne Production Metal Cost Calculator is designed to provide manufacturers with a per-part estimate for binder jet 3D printing a precision metal part so they can quickly compare the technology to other forms of traditional and additive manufacturing.

The new tool requires just a few easy inputs – material, machine, part dimensions and volume – and is based on the purchase of any one of ExOne’s four Pro series printers, a lineup that competes with existing systems from Digital Metal and new binder jet systems from Desktop Metal, GE and HP.

“As customers compare new binder jetting options in the marketplace, we wanted to provide greater transparency into the affordable costs of binder jetting with ExOne technology,” said John Hartner, ExOne’s CEO. “Our new estimating tool takes a comprehensive range of costs into account, such as initial capital investment, throughput speeds, material, binder, replacement printheads, and more. Our team is confident that our high-speed systems offer the best value in terms of build area, throughput, consumable costs, material flexibility, and experience.”

ExOne’s production-ready lineup includes three systems. The X1 25Pro is a large metal 3D printer, which was launched in 2019 and is being successfully used by many manufacturers worldwide today. It offers a maximum build rate of 3,600 cc/hr, which makes it faster and more affordable to operate than comparably sized systems in the market today.

The X1 160Pro is an extra-large metal 3D printer, which is in production at ExOne’s German facility and shipping to customers soon. With a maximum print speed of 10,000 cc/hr, the 160Pro is ExOne’s 10th and most anticipated metal printer ever – offering the best value when considering size, speed, and material flexibility. Market demand for the 160Pro has been stronger than expected.

Finally, the InnoventPro, which comes to market in late 2021, has a 3-liter or 5-liter build volume and is a faster version of the Innovent+ – the world’s most popular metal binder jetting system since 2016. Final specifications for the InnoventPro will be released closer to production in late 2021.

ExOne’s complete family of Pro series printers is qualified to 3D print more than 20 materials, including 11 single-alloy metals, five composite metals and four ceramics. Printable metals include 17-4PH, 316L, 304L, Cobalt Chrome, Copper, H13 Tool Steel, Inconel 718, Inconel 625, M2 Tool Steel, Titanium, and Tungsten Heavy Alloy.

Aluminum, which is already qualified for R&D use on ExOne systems, has been fast-tracked for ExOne’s highest third-party qualification status, which indicates general market readiness. ExOne’s first aluminum alloys are expected to receive this status upgrade during 2021.