ElemX 3D Metal Printer
LIQUID METAL JETTING
The world’s first liquid metal printer using aluminum wire that’s widely available and safe to use, the ElemX exemplifies simplicity and efficiency. Our proprietary process eliminates the need for many traditional 3D post-processes and equipment, meaning a shorter time from start-to-part. The ElemX features an in-house-developed software suite and monitoring system to optimize print quality and repeatability.
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- Uses off-the-shelf materials —currently aluminum 4008 and 6061
- No powder removal, debinding or sintering means shorter cycle times
- Known material properties are as good or better than input material
- Requires only basic safety measures around heat and argon gas
HOW DOES IT WORK?
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- Aluminum alloy wire fed into ceramic crucible
- Metal is melted in the reservoir
- Metal droplets ejected by pulsed Lorentz force using external coil
- Liquid metal coalesces dropwise on heated substrate
- Print quality monitored in-situ with localized adjustments
APPLICATIONS
From prototyping to spares and repairs, ElemX can impact every stage of the product life cycle. 4008 Aluminum (A356) with ElemX is an affordable and realistic alternative to the manufacturing status quo and can solve challenges across a variety of industries such as…
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- Military and defense
- Research and academia
- Industrial manufacturing
- Automotive
- Aerospace
"Having this printer aboard will essentially accelerate, enhance and increase our warfighting readiness. The capabilities of the 3D printer will enable Essex to become more self-sufficient." - Lt. Cmdr. Nicolas Batista, AIMD officer of the USS Essex
THE ACQUISITION
- In August 2023, ADDiTEC acquired the Elem Additive Solutions, LLC business unit from Xerox Corporation, acquiring all its assets, over 300 patents and ~25 staff
- We are maintaining the Durham, NC facility as our liquid metal R&D lab and are excited to showcase what this technology can bring to the table
- We continue to support existing ElemX customers like the US Navy, Siemens, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory and are still offering ElemX systems to new customers