Xact Metal™ Announces New Initiative, “Breaking the Mold: The Xact Solution to Better Tooling”

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – April 16, 2024 – Xact Metal ™, a leader in affordable metal additive printing technology, is excited to announce the launch of its new initiative, “Breaking the Mold: The Xact Solution to Better Tooling.” This initiative aims to change the approach to metal 3D printing in the tooling industry by reframing the technology as a valuable option for rapid and cost-effective parts deployment in a moldmaker’s toolbox.

Available with less investment than traditional metal 3D options, Xact Metal printers can generate profit for molding and tooling businesses alike, demonstrated by a growing portfolio of customer successes. Over 140 machines have been installed globally, and Xact Metal is confidently expanding into the tooling space through strategic material partnerships, fine-tuned printing parameters, and collaboration with software and polishing companies to provide a complete solution from design to final part.

Xact Metal’s 3D printers complement traditional manufacturing processes by offering cost-effective solutions for producing small inserts and complex geometries that are otherwise challenging or costly to manufacture. They break down barriers for powder-bed fusion technology by providing high performance at a low cost, Additionally, Xact Metal’s technology enables on-site production, reducing downtime and increasing operational efficiency.

As a result, recent customers Actco Tool and Mfg and Spectrum Plastics Group, a DuPont Business, have invested in Xact Metal technology to strategically grow their capabilities for tooling and molding applications. They join existing Xact Metal customers such as JST, a global connectors manufacturer, and The Plastek Group, a global plastics packaging company specializing in mold building. Both of these customers utilize Xact Metal technology to create complex tool inserts for injection molds.

“We are excited about the new possibilities direct metal 3D printing brings to our rapid prototyping capabilities and engineering labs,” said Tyler Stark, Innovation Hub leader at Spectrum. “Adding stainless steel printing to our current lineup of 3D thermoplastic printers not only bridges the gap for fixtures and tooling but also speeds up significantly the prototyping process, enabling us to meet our customers’ most complex device development needs and in rapid fashion.”

“Actco has nearly six decades in close tolerance tool and die work, and we’re actively looking to the future by adding more close tolerance equipment to our toolbox” said Dana Gruber, President of Actco. “The Xact Metal XM200G fits that bill. The 20-micron build layer and compact machine design allows us to meet our customer’s needs.”

 Xact Metal’s strategic partnership with Uddeholm enables them to offer Corrax powder for its printers. Corrax is a cobalt-free and corrosion-resistant material that can be polished to an A1 surface finish. This partnership empowers molders and mold makers with the ability to produce optimized mold inserts and tooling components, save time, and ensure high-quality results.

In addition, a recent collaboration with Oqton offers advanced software solutions, including conformal cooling channel automation, enabling seamless integration of additive manufacturing (AM) into the tooling and molding workflow. Xact Metal has also recently partnered with Dlyte Polishing Solutions from GPAINNOVA to complete the entire workflow and offer a comprehensive solution for achieving superior tooling surface finish with AM.

“Our mission is to make additive manufacturing more accessible and affordable for all,” added Juan Mario Gomez. “With our focus on cost-effective design and high-performing components, Xact Metal 3D printers offer a compelling solution for businesses looking to enhance their tooling and molding capabilities.”

From May 6 to 10 in Orlando, Florida, Xact Metal’s technical team will take over the “Cimquest” booth – S25196 – at NPE 2024 to showcase its equipment and capabilities.

About Xact Metal

Xact Metal™ is taking the essential specs for metal 3D Printing and combining them with breakthrough technology to establish a new level of price and performance in additive manufacturing. With a desire to enable more and more designers, developers, and manufacturers to experience the benefits of high-quality metal 3D printing at the best price possible, Xact Metal aims to change the perception that additive manufacturing is only for capital-rich companies.  The company is privately funded and is located in State College, Pennsylvania. For more information visit: www.xactmetal.com.

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