February
Elementum 3D materials under the microscope
The impact and advantages of Elementum 3D’s investment in a state-of-the-art Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) are already paying dividends to our customers. The Phenom ParticleX SEM optimizes our material scientist’s, metallurgist’s, and engineer’s ability to research, develop and supply the highest quality powders with greater precision. The SEM will support our quality assurance initiative to reduce potential issues that could interrupt production timelines, precisely track the source of particle contamination before, during, and after production, and screen for contaminates that may jeopardize future lots of Elementum 3D materials.
“The Phenom SEM is an exciting addition to our lab that will allow us to investigate the finer details of our material instantly, without the lead time of an external lab. The addition of chemical analysis using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) provides a new tool for us to further explore new frontiers in material design as well as understand and provide quality parts and powders,” said Dr. Chloe Johnson, Materials Scientist.
The Phenom ParticleX has an electron optical magnification range from 160x to 200,000x, making it possible at the high end of the range to analyze and map all material particles at the nanometer scale. The value of examining materials at this scale is substantial. Our materials experts can expand on their ability to confirm the quality and consistency of incoming and outgoing powder materials and solid parts. Moreover, they will now have access to energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) analysis, which is an advanced surface analysis technique that can accurately document the quality and composition of chemical substances and materials that are used in our products.
“The Phenom ParticleX is going to be an invaluable tool to assure that we are suppling the highest quality products from beginning to end; saving time and money down the line,” said Heidi Meador, Metallurgical Lab Manager.
A "Winter Party" to remember
On Friday, February 4th, Elementum 3D hosted its annual Winter Party to celebrate the employees’ hard work and dedication in 2021, as well as the support of their families and all the individuals who have backed Elementum 3D this year and in the past. We are fortunate to have teammates and supporters that are united in their hunger for the success of Elementum 3D.
The event gave all the attendees a chance to relax and spend valuable time connecting socially with others inside and outside their usual work settings. Many were able to truly get to know each other like never before, sharing stories and their passions outside of work. The Winter Party was the perfect way to honor the fruits of 2021 and to strengthen our commitment, team spirit and working environment in 2022.
Elementum 3D Career Openings
- Tim Ellis: The space nerd 3D-printing a rocket to Mars
- Bentley Pours In Millions On 3D Printing For More Components
- Adding value (with additive): Metal 3D printing of standard medical devices
- MAN Energy Solutions adopts SLM Solutions NXG XII 600 for large energy parts
- US To Source 3D-Printed Parts To End Spares Shortage For Submarine Fleet
- 12 Companies Launched by Space 3D Printing Under New NASA Contract
A6061-RAM2 and GRCop-42 processes expanded to new AM systems
A6061-RAM2 printing material parameters are being developed for 3D Systems’ DMP Flex 350 platform. Their Application Innovation Group is supporting customers like NASA Goddard Space Flight Center with parts like this generatively designed bracket printed from A6061-RAM2, known for improved stiffness, print speed, and as-built surface finish compared to AlSi10Mg.
The bracket is intended to support the telescope of a balloon-borne platform called Exoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE), studying exoplanets from Earth’s upper atmosphere.
Our GRCop-42 printing process is currently in development for EOS M400-4 printers. Elementum 3D is already working with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center on a Phase III SBIR contract to develop a large format additive manufacturing process for GRCop-42. The scope of the project includes process development on EOS M400-1 printers to optimize print quality and speed, property characterization, and delivery of rocket engine components.
The introduction of new AM capabilities requires both alloy and process development and Elementum 3D is actively working with the AM community to provide printing processes that deliver high quality parts with highly reliable production.
Series B funding round expected to grow from $10.2M to $22M
On January 12, 2022, Elementum 3D announced the company has raised $10.2 million in a Series B funding round via the filing of a Form D with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The funding round is expected to blossom to $22 million in the coming weeks.
Elementum 3D is using its new equity financing to streamline operations, introduce new materials, and expand vertically. The funding will further solidify the company’s lead in the development and commercialization of high-performance advanced metals, alloys, composites, and other application specific materials in the additive manufacturing industry.
“We’ve been basically building data with these customers, where they’ve been basically testing it and trying it and seeing if it works,” Elementum founder and president Jacob Nuechterlein told BizWest. “We’ve had a number of customers who are now moving to production-scale projects. They’re moving from the R&D phase now to a production phase.”
“We’re the ones who are providing really the only aerospace-grade aluminum that’s available,” he added.
Elementum founder and president Dr. Jacob Nuechterlein shares his thoughts on materials and expansion in metal AM
Dr. Jacob Nuechterlein, Elementum 3D’s president and founder, was recently interviewed for an article by 3Dnatives, the largest international online media platform on 3D printing and its applications.
The article asks Jacob to introduce himself, his motivation to start Elementum 3D, and talk about RAM technology, the needs and barrier in the metal AM community, and what he expects AM will look like in 5 years.