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BLT 2024: Pushing The Boundaries Of Metal Additive Manufacturing With Cutting-Edge Technology And Innovation

BLT 2024: Pushing the Boundaries of Metal Additive Manufacturing with Cutting-Edge Technology and Innovation

In 2024, Bright Laser Technologies (BLT) has further cemented its reputation as a prominent player in metal additive manufacturing, driving innovation and setting high standards in technology, quality, and performance. This milestone year has seen major enhancements to its equipment portfolio, remarkable breakthroughs in precision and efficiency, and significant contributions across industries such as aerospace, automotive, mold, robotics, consumer electronics, and academic research. These achievements underscore BLT’s strong capabilities in serial production, reinforcing its position as a trusted industry innovator.

Next-Generation Printing Systems: Enhanced Efficiency and Scalability

BLT has introduced major upgrades to its PBF-LB/M systems, emphasizing efficiency, reliability, and eco-consciousness. The BLT-S600 series, refined over eight years of development, now boasts a build dimension of 650mm × 650mm × 850mm, making it ideal for producing mid-sized parts and large, complex components. Innovations like the integrated build cylinder, intelligent quality detection systems, and a gas- and powder-saving circulation system ensure reliable, sustainable, and safe production.

Similarly, the BLT-S450 underwent a transformative upgrade, showcasing remarkable performance in aerospace, mold, and automotive industries. With a build dimension of 450mm × 450mm × 500mm and multi-laser configurations ranging from 4 to 8 lasers, the system enhances productivity while maintaining precision. The addition of long-life filters and automated powder circulation further cements its reputation as a cost-effective solution for industrial-scale manufacturing.

 

 

Pioneering Precision and Efficiency in Metal Additive Manufacturing

BLT has made groundbreaking progress in ultra-high-precision metal printing and thick-layer printing solutions, addressing the industry’s growing demand for intricate components and faster production cycles. The advanced PBF-LB/M technology achieves surface roughness of Ra 2-3μm and dimensional accuracy within 0.05mm, catering to applications requiring exceptional detail.

Meanwhile, BLT’s thick-layer printing technology—capable of layer thicknesses up to 150μm—delivers unparalleled efficiency, enabling high-quality serial production at significantly reduced costs.


Additionally, BLT has further refined its variable layer thickness printing technology, offering flexible layer thicknesses of 30μm, 80μm, 120μm, and 150μm depending on the specific characteristics of each part, delivering excellent forming quality and exceptional performance.

Advancing Innovation in Aerospace, Automotive, Robotics, and More

BLT’s expertise extends to diverse industries, including aerospace, medical devices, automotive components, robotics manufacturing, and heat exchanger solutions.

BLT has been a trusted partner in aerospace innovation, producing critical components for commercial rockets and satellites. Highlights include contributions to Orienspace’s “Gravity-1” commercial carrier rocket and Land Space’s ZQ-3 vertical takeoff and landing test. Additionally, BLT played an important role in the successful launch of the SmartSat-2A satellite, manufacturing large-scale parts using BLT-S1000 systems. These achievements underscore BLT’s expertise in delivering high-performance materials and optimized manufacturing processes for aerospace applications.

BLT has optimized various automotive components, including rear subframes, steering knuckles, and battery housings, reducing production time while ensuring consistent, high-quality parts that enhance production efficiency. For heat exchangers, BLT introduced three new aluminum alloy models with optimized designs, achieving a 30% increase in efficiency and meeting growing demands for energy-efficient solutions.


In the robotics sector, BLT has harnessed the transformative power of additive manufacturing to redefine the design and production of robotic components. By employing topology optimization and multi-scale configurations, BLT’s PBF-LB/M technology integrates multiple parts into single units, enhancing functionality, reducing weight, and simplifying assembly. Key applications in humanoid robots demonstrate the potential for mass production and the acceleration of next-generation robotics technologies.

BLT’s commitment to innovation is also reflected in its partnerships with universities and research institutions. The company’s systems and materials have facilitated internationally recognized breakthroughs, including studies on biomaterials for bone tissue repair, high-strength steel for cryogenic applications, and degradable porous scaffolds for large-scale bone defect treatments. Notably, a publication in Nature highlighted the exceptional fatigue resistance of titanium alloys produced using BLT equipment, supporting research on near-void-free 3D printing technology and expanding their potential in aerospace and other critical industries.

Advancing Industry Standards in Quality and Digital Manufacturing

Quality assurance remains at the heart of BLT’s innovations. The company’s enhanced quality monitoring systems integrate intelligent tools for pre-build and in-process stages, ensuring traceability and reliability. Features such as powder bed detection, defect detection platforms, and precise laser alignment have redefined industry standards.

Complementing these advancements is the upgraded BLT-MES system, a digital manufacturing solution that bridges planning and execution. With real-time data collection, production monitoring, and intelligent resource management, the system optimizes production cycles, supporting the era of mass production in metal additive manufacturing.

Expanding Global Reach and Showcasing Excellence at Industry Events

In 2024, BLT strengthened its global presence by partnering with key players across Asia, Europe, Africa, and beyond. BLT has forged deep partnerships with Lincsolution in Korea and Orix in Japan, working closely to deliver high-quality metal additive manufacturing solutions and drive technology adoption, including the launch of the ‘Tokyo 3D Lab’ showcasing multi-industry parts produced with BLT’s PBF-LB/M systems, while strategic partnerships in Europe and Africa expanded access to our technologies. In aerospace, BLT’s successful work package with Airbus Atlantic on the A320 O-Ring reinforced our expertise in high-performance, mass-production solutions. At major global industry events, from the US to Germany, South Korea, Japan, and beyond, BLT showcased innovations in automated metal 3D printing, advanced software, and real-world applications across sectors like aerospace, automotive, and consumer electronics. These efforts highlight our commitment to pushing the boundaries of metal additive manufacturing and creating value for our partners worldwide.

Shaping the Future of Additive Manufacturing

As we step into 2025, BLT celebrates a year of remarkable achievements that have redefined the possibilities of metal additive manufacturing. From cutting-edge systems and materials to groundbreaking applications across industries, BLT continues to lead innovation, delivering customized solutions that empower partners and shape the future of manufacturing. BLT looks forward to collaborating with industry leaders across various fields to drive progress and create new opportunities together.

3D Metal Printing In The Medical Industry

3D Metal Printing In The Medical Industry

Fast manufacturing and high precision of medical implants are crucial. Metallic additive manufacturing is opening new possibilities for medical and dental application. Article by CADS Additive GmbH.

The medical and dental industry face complex challenges. Fast manufacturing and high precision of medical implants are crucial.

First and foremost, the manufacturing of these implants requires a multitude of preparation and process steps, starting from capturing of patient-specific data using imaging techniques, through creation of implant geometries and their preparation for 3D metal printing, up to post-processing and finishing. New technologies and innovation drive these industries but also the companies themselves. Different demands call for different approaches and solutions.

Here, metallic additive manufacturing opens new possibilities for medical and dental application as well as for partners and suppliers of these industries. Nevertheless, one has to create and manage a large amount of data and map these as efficiently as possible through the whole process. To be successful, efficient data preparation for metal 3D printing is fundamental.

Software for Medical and Dental Technology

Founded as a Joint Venture in 2016, CADS Additive GmbH today is a fully owned subsidiary of the company CADS GmbH, both based in Perg, Austria. CADS Additive stands for developing outstanding software components and intuitive software solutions for 3D metal printing. As a manufacturer of high-performance data preparation and data management software solutions, CADS Additive is an innovative and competent partner in the field of industrial metallic additive manufacturing worldwide.

With the knowledge and expertise in developing intuitive software for medical as well as dental technology, they work with various companies to problem solve and deal with challenges, as well as find new opportunities within the industry.

“Our high-performance software solutions and components are game-changing for their decision on 3D metal printing software. What is further crucial for their 3D printing success,” Daniel Plos, Sales Director at CADS Additive, continues.For other exclusive articles, visit www.equipment-news.com.

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SLM Solutions’ Next Disruption In Additive Manufacturing Vows To Impress

SLM Solutions’ Next Disruption In Additive Manufacturing Vows To Impress

SLM Solutions invites the industry to a game-changing product launch on June 23 at 5pm CEST. The launch will take place digitally and will be accessible to everyone at SLM-SOLUTIONS.COM/THE-BIG-LAUNCH. The new product empowers the creation of metal components with previously impossible designs and unmatched productivity, reducing overall material usage and minimizing the end-part cost to achieve industrial-scale production.

Sam O’Leary, CEO of SLM Solutions, is enthusiastic about the upcoming product launch “Last year we introduced an industry gamechanger—the NXG Xll 600—but we won’t stop there. Today, after three years in the making and care of many of the world’s most visionary engineers, we are proud to add a new technology to our portfolio.”

The groundbreaking product has a record impact on part design and increases the productivity of the entire process by reducing powder consumption and scrap and shortening post-processing times. Likewise, improved thermal management will significantly shorten the build time while substantially reducing part stress. As a result, a surface finish like no other will soon be the new norm.

And—like almost everything they bring to life—it’s holistic. On this topic, O’Leary adds, “Why is it is available for most systems in our portfolio? Because we strive to make every new piece of technology meet the demands of every priorly-built machine. We believe that creating truly open architecture is the only way to bring additive manufacturing to its powerful potential.”

What’s more, the technology’s basic subscription will be completely free of charge. O’Leary explains, “The goal is to be relentless in innovation. It’s free because we want to empower our partners and customer base. Why should this remain an enablement of just a few when it can benefit all?”.

O’Leary concludes that “This new technology is another milestone, not only for us but for the entire industry. As a high-tech company, we are once again shaping the face of additive manufacturing with this product launch. It’s the next disruption in the manufacturing industry, so it’s worth attending.”

What does the next disruption of additive manufacturing look like? SLM Solutions’ industry experts will explain on June 23 at 5pm CEST at the online product launch that includes an open discussion. Participation is free of charge.

Sign up at SLM-SOLUTIONS.COM/THE-BIG-LAUNCH

 

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Additive Manufacturing Standards For Medical Production

Additive Manufacturing Standards For Medical Production

Dedicated standards for medical devices produced using Additive Manufacturing are already in preparation. Gregor Reischle, Head of Additive Manufacturing at TÜV SÜD highlights the importance of additive manufacturing standards for medical devices and what manufacturers need to consider before they start. 

Gregor Reischle

Dedicated standards for medical devices produced using Additive Manufacturing are already in preparation. In future, they will smooth the path for the implementation of new technologies as well as their assessment for approval. In this interview with Asia Pacific Metalworking Equipment News (APMEN), Gregor Reischle, Head of Additive Manufacturing at testing, inspection and certification services provider TÜV SÜD, shares what aspects need to be considered against this backdrop.

Why do we need standards to help us use AM technology for medical production?

Gregor Reischle (GR): Items that are already produced using Additive Manufacturing, such as protective face coverings, masks and visors or products for radiation treatment, are subject to particularly rigorous conformity and safety standards. However, assessment procedures for approval of these products take time – and time is of the essence in a pandemic. Standards help to ensure regulatory requirements are implemented reliably, promptly and cost-effectively, thus minimising risks. They also represent state-of-the-art solutions and serve to concentrate specific knowledge.

There are still no Additive Manufacturing standards designed specifically for medical devices. Where can manufacturers seek guidance in the meantime?

GR: We have drawn up checklists for all the most important requirements in the main standards and regulations relating to Additive Manufacturing, covering those that set out more general terms as well as the first more specific requirements. We are currently providing the checklists free of charge International standard organisations such as ASTM International and ISO are likewise providing access to relevant standards free of charge at the moment, for items such as personal protective equipment and medical devices. This benefits testing laboratories, healthcare specialists and the general public.

How widespread are 3D-printed medical devices?

GR: Conventionally manufactured products still make up the majority. Anyone using 3D printing today is pursuing strategic aims and is willing to invest a lot of time in such products. Additive manufacturing is only widespread in specific areas of medical engineering, like prosthetics and dental technology. In fact, probably all the major manufacturers in the dental industry now supply 3D printers, some of which can even be used in medical practices. 

What changes will the MDR introduce in this respect compared to its predecessor, the MDD?

GR: Under the Medical Device Directive (MDD), these “custom-made products” can be used without the need for CE marking. Although the same will apply under the Medical Device Regulation (MDR), manufacturers of class III implantable custom products will now need to call in a Notified Body to perform conformity assessment of their quality management system. Many products will fall into a higher class under the MDR, and this may require the involvement of a Notified Body in some cases. Custom-made products will be replaced by a common basic model which is customised for patient-specific use.

How will upcoming standards support the requirements to fulfil regulatory requirements such as MDR conformity? And which existing standards could already be useful?

GR: The requirements of the MDR state that a Notified Body must assess the manufacturer’s quality management system and verify compliance of its processes with the state of the art. DIN SPEC 17071—the specification for requirements concerning quality-assured processes at additive manufacturing centres—can usefully be applied here. The guideline is aimed at minimising risks stemming from parts and components produced using Additive Manufacturing, irrespective of the industry or sector. A project to transfer these findings to medical engineering is already under way, and a white paper on the subject will be published very soon. The DIN SPEC 17071 will also be advanced to reach the international ISO/ASTM level; the upcoming ISO 52920 and 52930 represent state-of-the-art quality assurance for AM production.

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Desktop Metal And Uniformity Labs Announce Breakthrough In Aluminium Sintering For Binder Jetting Technology

Desktop Metal And Uniformity Labs Announce Breakthrough In Aluminium Sintering For Binder Jetting Technology

Desktop Metal, Inc. (NYSE: DM), a leader in mass production and turnkey additive manufacturing (AM) solutions, and Uniformity Labs, a leading additive manufacturing company that is revolutionising industrial 3D printing materials and processes, has announced a breakthrough powder that enables aluminium sintering for binder jetting AM technology. This new powder is the result of a multi-year collaboration between the companies to develop a low-cost, raw material yielding fully dense, sinterable 6061 aluminium with greater than ten percent (10 percent) elongation and improved yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) versus wrought 6061 aluminium with comparable heat treatment.

“This breakthrough represents a major milestone in the development of aluminium for binder jetting and a significant step forward for the AM industry as it is one of the most sought-after materials for use in automotive, aerospace and consumer electronics,” said Ric Fulop, CEO and co-founder of Desktop Metal. “The global aluminium castings market is more than $50 billion per year, and it is ripe for disruption with binder jetting AM solutions. These are the best reported properties we are aware of for a sintered 6061 aluminium powder, and we are excited to make this material available exclusively to Desktop Metal customers as part of our ongoing partnership with Uniformity Labs.”

“The introduction of lightweight metals to binder jetting opens the door to a wide variety of thermal and structural applications across industries,” said Adam Hopkins, founder and CEO of Uniformity Labs. “This innovation is a key step towards the adoption of mass-produced printed aluminium parts.”

This new powder enables the sintering of unadulterated 6061 aluminium and represents a significant improvement over prior techniques used to sinter aluminium, which required coating powder particles, mixing sintering aids into powder, using binders containing expensive nanoparticles, or adding metals such as lead, tin and magnesium. Critically, the powder also enables compatibility with water-based binders and has a higher minimum ignition energy (MIE) relative to other commercially available 6061 aluminium powders, resulting in an improved safety profile.

Desktop Metal and Uniformity Labs plan to continue to work together over the coming year to qualify the powder and scale production for commercial release. Once fully qualified, Uniformity 6061 aluminium will be available for use with the Desktop Metal Production System platform, which is the only metal binder jetting solution with an inert, chemically inactive processing environment across the printer and auxiliary powder processing equipment, enabling customers to achieve consistent, high-quality material properties across volumes of end-use parts with reactive materials, such as aluminium.

 

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Why Open-source 3D Printing Is The New Norm

Why Open-source 3D Printing Is The New Norm

Open systems are the future. The open concept will enable the pioneering of new applications and solutions in the aerospace industry and more. Article by MahaChem. 

For decades, most 3D printers adopt a closed system—where the user is restricted to the manufacturer’s resins. Economically, this means that chances are, the material is costlier as the manufacturer has the bargaining power over the user, who is restricted to their material offerings. For the same reason, it could also mean that users are unable to create something that is eco-friendly, unless the material is certified to be so. 

But most importantly, this limits the creativity of the individual to come up with a product with the best design paired with the ideal material. Of course, closed source printers aren’t all that bad, they ensure that the quality of the end product is up to standard, by ensuring that their materials are of quality.

However, with the invention of the open-source 3D printing technology, the woes of product designers have been resolved. The designer now has the power to choose any material from any supplier based on their personal preferences. Want a cheaper material? Find an economical supplier. Want an environmentally friendly product? Find a supplier with green or eco-friendly resins or filament. Want a malleable product? Find a soft polymer supplier. 

All in all, this means that designers are free to create whatever they have in their imagination. This has become a new norm over the years as more and more designers search for alternatives from closed-source printers to bring their imagination to life. As such, over the years there has been a surge in open-sourced 3D printers, particularly desktop ones, to meet the needs of the users.

Why is it Important for the Aerospace Industry?

3D printing has become especially important in the aerospace industry to address challenges like production time, cost of production and carbon emission. For example, it can produce lighter parts while maintaining strength, which reduces the aircraft’s overall weight, hence lowering its fuel consumption. This in turn, cuts operational costs and lowers carbon dioxide emission. Here are other benefits of 3D printing for the aerospace industry: 

Precision 

Surface finishing is critical in the aerospace industry. 3D printing parts can be post-processed to a very high precision. Technologies like Material Jetting are able to produce parts with smooth, injection moulding like surface finishing with little post processing needed. While Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is able to produce high performance metal parts. 

Materials That Are Licensed 

Currently, there are many qualified materials used in producing parts in the aerospace industries, depending on the technology. In SLM, Aluminium or Titanium are mainly used. Examples of parts printing with SLM are the suspension wishbone and the Jet engine. While in Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Nylon is the preferred material. Examples of parts printed with SLS include Air flow ducting and Tarmac nozzle bezel. Other technologies include Stereolithography (SLA) and Material Jetting, which uses Resin to produce parts such as Entry doors, brackets, and door handles.

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