Nov 24, 2016 | By Tess

South Korean 3D printer manufacturer InssTek was one of many companies to make a big impact at additive manufacturing expo formnext 2016, only they managed to do so with a very small metal 3D printer, the MX-Mini. The company also claims that its latest release is the first ever desktop metal 3D printer to use Directed Energy Deposition (DED) technology.

Founded in 2001, InssTek has primarily been recognized within the additive manufacturing world for its Direct Metal Tooling, or DMT Technology. With its range of large-scale DMT metal 3D printers, including the MX-250, the MX-1000, and MX-Grand, the company has made an impression within South Korea, where it has helped the Air Force to 3D print metal parts, and abroad, having broken onto the European market earlier this year.

The most recent of its fleet, the MX-Mini, was debuted last week in Frankfurt at the illustrious formnext 3D printing event. Like InssTek’s other 3D printing systems, the MX-Mini is based on Directed Energy Deposition (DED) technology (which actually encompasses the DMT method). The main thing that sets the new 3D printer apart from its predecessors, however, is its size. That is, unlike InssTek’s fleet of large-scale metal 3D printers, the MX-Mini has been minimized in both size and weight so it can be used as a desktop 3D printer.

Despite the small frame of the new 3D printer, InssTek has been careful to keep its build space as maximized as possible. With a total size of 850 x 850 x 950 mm and a weight of 300 kg, the build space has still been maintained at a very reasonable 200 x 200 x 200 mm. The desktop metal 3D printer is also equipped with a 300W Ytterbium Fiber Laser, a PC-based control system with a 15” touch system, three-axis motion, and two powder hoppers, meaning it can print in multiple materials.

According to the 3D printer manufacturer, the MX-Mini was developed primarily for Research and Development and education purposes. Its small size means it can fit into smaller work spaces without cutting back on quality or having to opt for plastic 3D printing. Of course, parts printed on the machine will inevitably be limited in scale, though this shouldn’t pose a problem for R&D or education purposes. InssTek has also said that its compact metal 3D printer will have applications in the aerospace and electronic industries in the future, presumably when it is further developed.

While no price has been attached to the new 3D printer as of yet, InssTek has said that clients can submit a pre-order for the MX-Mini desktop metal 3D printer before January 2017.

Posted in 3D Printer

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confused wrote at 12/4/2016 4:52:52 PM:How the hell do you pre-order something when they haven't even set a price yet?MarcC wrote at 11/29/2016 12:06:51 PM:300 or 500 watt laser options 3000?



