[3D Printing] FastForm Reduces Metal 3D Printing Support Material by 98% Through AI Utilization

M300 + AI Printing: 98% Reduction in Support Structures, Turning Every Device into an "Expert Technician"

Manager Zhu of FastForm first introduced the M300, equipped with the latest AM build AI printing technology, which was the central product at this exhibition.

Unlike traditional metal 3D printing, which uses fixed parameters, AI printing technology can adjust parameters in real-time based on the printing status. It covers the entire process, from data pre-processing and device printing to data post-processing.

According to Manager Zhu, AI printing technology can reduce support structures by up to 98%. In the post-processing stage, this can reduce the processing time for parts on an entire plate by 60% to 70%.

At the same time, the significant reduction in support structures also leads to substantial savings in powder material during the printing process, and the surface finish of the underside of parts is improved by more than 50% compared to traditional methods.

Reducing Reliance on Process Engineer Experience

This technology addresses a long-standing industry challenge: traditional metal 3D printing's heavy reliance on the experience of process engineers for tasks like adding support structures, orienting parts, and setting process parameters.

With AI printing, the device automatically selects the optimal printing parameters based on the shape of different models. There's no need for manual adjustment of process parameters, making every device an "expert technician."

Controlling Deformation in Thin-Walled Parts

AI printing also demonstrates a clear advantage for parts prone to deformation, such as thin-walled components.

Traditional printing of thin-walled parts often faced issues with deformation due to excessively thin walls or structural stress. After adopting AI printing, deformation is virtually eliminated, and the requirements for part placement and operator interaction are significantly reduced, essentially achieving "expertise-free printing."

AI Features are Upgradeable Later

In terms of product deployment, AI features are currently offered as an optional module. All FastForm devices come with pre-configured connection interfaces, so if the initial budget is limited, you can first purchase the basic device and add the AI module later.

The implementation method uses large models in the cloud rather than local environments.

G1 Green Laser Device: Specialized for Highly Reflective Materials like Pure Copper with 500W Green Laser

On the other side of the booth, FastForm's newly launched G1 green laser printer was displayed, with the G2 in the same series also scheduled for release this year.

This device employs a green laser and is specialized for printing highly reflective materials such as pure copper, silver, and gold. These are areas where traditional infrared fiber lasers struggle.

Pure Copper 3D Printing Supports Liquid Cooling Applications

The advent of green laser devices directly boosts their application in the liquid cooling and heat dissipation industry.

At the booth, several pure copper parts printed with the G1 and G2 series were showcased. These included precise fin structures, TPMS (Triply Periodic Minimal Surface) lattice cell structures, and bionic structures.

These complex structures maximize the heat exchange area in heat dissipation applications and improve cooling efficiency.

DDR5 Memory Cooling Components

For practical applications, the booth displayed an integrated cold plate and a component used for DDR5 memory cooling.

This DDR5 cooling component features a special internal flow channel structure. Customer trials have shown that the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet is effectively reduced compared to conventional designs, achieving excellent heat dissipation.

AI Metal 3D Printing and Green Laser Printing: Two Directions of Development

The two products unveiled by FastForm at this exhibition indicate two important directions in the metal 3D printing industry.

Firstly, AI technology lowers the barrier to entry for processes, reduces the cost of support structures and post-processing, and solves the long-standing industry problem of relying on human experience. Secondly, green laser technology overcomes the printing bottleneck for highly reflective materials such as pure copper, entering the rapidly growing liquid cooling and heat dissipation market for AI computing.

If the 98% reduction in support structures achieved by AI printing can be stably realized in large-scale production, it will significantly reduce the overall cost of metal 3D printing and promote its widespread adoption in the industry.

Furthermore, with the increasing demand for AI servers, pure copper liquid cooling and heat dissipation components are becoming a critical growth market in metal 3D printing, and FastForm's efforts in this area are worth noting.