Augsburg, Germany – November 08, 2018, voxeljet AG (NASDAQ: VJET) has announced the launch of its new VX1000-S IOB printing system for the series production of sand cores for aluminum casting. Until now, the company’s sand printing business has focused on the use of organic binder systems. The new VX1000-S inorganic IOB system significantly improves throughput and ensures high environmental compatibility throughout the value chain.

The new technology enables high-speed additive manufacturing for serial production of water jacket cores in light metal casting applications. Water jacket cores are used for the precise temperature management in not only internal combustion engines, but also electric motors, inverters and battery systems. Efficient temperature management improves overall vehicle performance.

• VX1000-S with a five times increased performance, compared to previous systems, resulting in a layer time of only 12 seconds
• Features new set of inorganic binding (IOB) material for high environmental compatibility already in production and during the casting process
• Orders for the VX1000-S system can be placed now for deliveries mid 2019
• On-demand production of IOB parts from our Services center is available from March 2019 onwards

voxeljet developed a solution for the serial additive production of crucial engine parts, such as water jacket cores. A water jacket is a liquid-filled casing surrounding a device, typically out of metal, having intake and outlet vents to allow water to be pumped through and circulated. The flow of water to an external heating or cooling device allows precise temperature control of the device.

The new VX1000-S IOB uses a special two-component inorganic binder system able to balance the technical requirements of the printing, core making and casting process: component one is the liquid binder based on a modified blend of alkali silicates, component two is a solid additive.

The advanced layering unit and high-speed printhead technology reduce the layer time to 12 seconds, generating a volume output of ca. 54 l/h. In addition to that, the inorganic materials only emit water vapor during the casting process. This significantly improves air quality and working environment in foundries.

The VX1000-S IOB offers a competitive advantage for automotive manufacturers. The technology has been engineered for highly complex geometries, which are particularly useful in the precise temperature management of not only internal combustion engines, but also electric motors, inverters and battery systems.

“voxeljet’s industrial printers enable high-quality print resolutions and constant layertimes and output volume. Our new S-line of 3D printers uses larger widths of our printheads, making our indirect metal processes even more productive compared to other direct metal additive manufacturing processes. I am convinced, this will become a state-of-the-art manufacturing process.” says Dr. Ingo Ederer, CEO of voxeljet.

voxeljet will present the VX1000-S IOB system at hall 3.1, booth D18 at this year’s formnext show, the international exhibition and conference on the next generation of manufacturing technologies in Frankfurt, Germany. For further information and a live demonstration of the VX1000-S IOB process visit us at our press conference at formnext on the 13th of November from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

February 2018 – voxeljet AG, a leading provider of high-speed, large-format 3D printers and on-demand parts services to industrial and commercial customers, today announced that Tooling and Equipment International in Livonia, MI (TEI) has signed a 3-year Volume Contract with voxeljet America Inc. in Canton, MI for 3D printed sand molds and cores.

In the contract, TEI has committed to purchase more than 500,000 liters of 3D printed sand from voxeljet over an expected three-year period. In connection with the contract, voxeljet will install additional printing capacity in TEI’s Livonia facility as well as using its existing machines in their Canton, MI facility.

TEI is the largest user of 3D printed sand in the USA and has a comprehensive low-pressure aluminum casting facility together with heat treatment and a state-of-the-art machine shop with over 50 CNC machines. TEI supplies machined prototype and low volume components in aluminum, iron and steel to automotive, aerospace and defense customers. With the help of voxeljet’s high productivity 3D printing systems, geared towards industrial production, TEI will offer all phases of manufacturing from one source: design, 3D sand printing, casting, heat treatment, machining, and inspection.

Oliver Johnson, President of TEI commented: “This is an outstanding opportunity for both companies to further capitalize on the benefits of large scale 3D sand printing for engineered aluminum castings. With voxeljet working alongside us to supply molds and cores, we will be able to compress lead times even further for our customers while also setting new records in terms of the size and weight of parts we can cast. ”

David Tait, Managing Director of voxeljet America Inc. commented: “The 3D printing industry is at an inflection point, and this marks another milestone in our mission to push 3D printing into industrial production. We are very proud to support TEI’s growth strategy with our unique 3D printing technology.”

TEI is a global leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of prototype, pre-production and mass production equipment for the casting industry. TEI products are the highest quality and are backed by a reputation for innovation, design excellence, and precise first-run performance. TEI is a full service, vertically integrated supplier offering a complete range of services in Engineering, Tooling, Casting, Machining and Inspection complete on one site. This approach delivers TEI and its customers’ fundamental advantages in terms of timing, confidentiality, and quality.