Markforged Holding Corporation recently announced a new upgrade for its FX10 industrial 3D printer that enables the use of metal filaments. With the so-called “FX10 Metal Kit”, users can now print both metal and composite materials with continuous fiber reinforcement on the same device. This marks a significant step in the advancement of industrial 3D printing technology.
The FX10 printer, originally launched in November 2023, was initially designed to print composite materials only. However, the modular design of the printer allows Markforged to offer subsequent upgrades, such as the FX10 Metal Kit, to extend the functionality of the device. This upgrade includes an interchangeable print head, material feed tubes and dual pre-extruders specifically optimized for metal printing. Switching between metal and composite printing can be completed in around 15 minutes.
“Customers no longer have to choose between a metal and a composite printer. Years of R&D investment and field experience have come together to provide an all-in-one solution for 3D printing to provide immediate return on investment once installed on a factory floor,” said Shai Terem, CEO of Markforged. “The FX10 supercharges other equipment on the factory floor to be better utilized and run more efficiently, increasing productivity and reducing potential line down events.”
One of the main innovations of the kit is the 2nd generation Metal Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) print head, which is based on Markforged’s years of experience in metal printing. This new print head offers a significantly higher print speed compared to the company’s previous metal printing systems and has a print volume that is twice as large as that of Markforged’s previous industrial metal printers. This enables more efficient production of metal parts, especially in industrial applications where speed and precision are critical.
In addition to the hardware enhancements, Markforged has also introduced a new 316L stainless steel filament specifically designed for use with the FX10 Metal Kit. Support for other metal filaments such as 17-4PH is also planned to provide users with a greater variety of materials.
“We designed the FX10 to be a modular platform, so that we are able to release new innovations and upgrades without customers having to purchase a new printer every year,” said Terem. “Along with new software capabilities we release regularly, the FX10 Metal Kit is poised to provide continuously growing value on factory floors for years to come.”
The FX10 Metal Kit will be presented at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago. There, Markforged will demonstrate live how the system continuously prints fiber-reinforced composites as well as metal. This underlines the versatility and adaptability of the FX10 printer, which thanks to its modular architecture can be continuously upgraded without users having to purchase a completely new printer.
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