Laser Lines, a total solutions provider of 3D printers and laser equipment, has become a UK reseller of Xact Metal’s 3D printing systems, which offer powerful metal 3D printing in a small footprint. Laser Lines will be distributing the Xact Metal XM200C and XM200S machines immediately, and the XM300C model when it becomes available in 2020.

Mark Tyrtania, sales director at Laser Lines, said: “We are delighted to be the chosen UK supplier for Xact Metal, whose metal printing systems are establishing new levels of price and performance. Making quality metal printing accessible requires innovation. Xact Metal’s printing technology is built on the patent-pending Xact Core – a high speed gantry system platform where light, simple mirrors move quickly and consistently above the powder-bed on an X-Y axis. It’s another step change for our industry and opens a whole range of exciting opportunities.”

The Xact Metal machines are aimed at customers in high-performing industries where high-throughput and print speed is critical – including aerospace and medical (XM200S), and for entry-level operators, universities, prototyping laboratories and SMEs (XM200C). Both systems use a laser-based powder-bed fusion technology in which a laser selectively melts thin layers of metal powder to create parts directly from a 3D CAD model.

With extremely compact footprints, the XM200S and XM200C machines offer a 127 x 127 x 127mm build chamber. Both machines have a touchscreen display, which makes them easy to use, control print jobs, change print settings, while keeping an eye on measurements such as the chamber temperature and oxygen percentage/ pressure.

The machines support stainless steel, super alloys, tooling steels, aluminium, titanium and bronze.