SYS Systems boosts its AM offer with metal technology

Derby-based SYS Systems, one of the UK’s leading providers of additive manufacturing (AM) solutions, is targeting a multi-million-pound opportunity after introducing new industrial-scale, production-grade technology to its portfolio.

The company, a Platinum partner of Stratasys, the world’s largest commercial 3-D printing specialist, will shortly be able to offer new and existing customers access to machines that 3-D print in metal and ceramics, complementing its core polymer range.

This important move has been secured following a new deal between Stratasys and Tritone Technologies and will reduce barriers to AM adoption by delivering solutions ideal for end-use applications that need to be metallic for strength, conductivity and heat resistance. It also addresses the growing industrial requirement for serial production and manufacturing at scale.

Chris Fulton, managing director of SYS Systems, said: “Applications for 3-D printing are evolving so quickly, and we need to ensure we are offering technology that meets the different requirements of our customers, who are spread across multiple sectors, including aerospace, defence, medical devices and precision engineering.

“The relationship that Stratasys has agreed with Tritone is a massive boost to our UK clients and means we can now add metal and ceramic technology to our core polymer offer, which is already producing parts for some of the world’s most critical applications.”

Complex gemometric components
He continued: “MoldJet is at the heart of the new range and is the only powder-free AM technology that enables high-throughput production of metal and ceramic parts at industrial scale and speed that has eliminated previous challenges. It is designed for producing complex geometric components, with high density and industry standard mechanical properties. Furthermore, changeovers are quick and parts of different geometries and applications can be manufactured in the same batch.”

SYS Systems, which is part of the Carfulan Group, is based in a £2.5 million Advanced Innovation Centre in Foston, near Derby. From here, it showcases the technologies on offer from Stratasys, spanning FDM, Polyjet, P3 and SAF technologies, giving its diverse client base the ability to harness the full power of AM to design, refine, iterate, create and manufacture next-generation components.

The company offers much more than just the systems. Its team of experts, with hundred years of collective AM experience, work with businesses to uncover applications where 3-D printing can offer significant savings in cost and time. Once identified, the customer is supported in installation, training and ongoing help to maximise the capability of the solution.

Mr Fulton continued: “The industry is really splitting into two areas - low end ‘prosumer’ machines and ‘high-end industrial’. SYS Systems is firmly in the industrial area where customers require reliability, repeatability and real support from humans! It is an approach that is really paying off. We have enjoyed significant growth in aerospace, defence, medical and the dental sectors, with the latter being transformed by a combination of the Stratasys J5 DentaJet printer and our patented TrueDent resin.”

The Carfulan Group is an advanced manufacturing specialist that has been helping industry work smarter, faster and more productive for over 35 years. The company delivers a range of multi-senor metrology, 3-D printing, tool presetting and shaft measurement solutions to SMEs, rapid-growth businesses, and blue-chip companies, including JCB, JLR, Red Bull Powertrains and Rolls-Royce.