Ann Arbor’s Azoth First in U.S. with Next Gen 3-D Printing

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Azoth says Metal NanoParticle Jetting is the ideal metal 3-D printing process for manufacturing small, complex shapes in high detail. // Courtesy of Azoth
Azoth says Metal NanoParticle Jetting is the ideal metal 3-D printing process for manufacturing small, complex shapes in high detail. // Courtesy of Azoth

Azoth, an Ann Arbor manufacturer of 3-D printed parts for applications across multiple industries, says it is the first company in the United States to offer Metal NanoParticle Jetting Additive Manufacturing technology, also known as Metal Material Jetting, developed by Israel-based XJet Ltd.

By utilizing XJet’s technology, Azoth says its customers can order parts on-demand instead of forecasting months in advance.

“We have a huge wealth of experience in metal manufacturing — with both additive and subtractive processes,” says Scott Burk, CEO of Azoth. “XJet’s metal system delivers capabilities that are in high demand in the market but are not achievable with other technologies. Parts with fine features, high resolution, good surface finish right off the printer – at a level we have not seen before.”

Azoth Lead Process Engineer Mattia Forgiarini says, “XJet Metal NanoParticle Jetting technology is a solution to the limitations of traditional metal additive manufacturing, unlocking the doors for manufacturing of incredibly complex small parts that can be manufactured on demand.

“XJet’s Metal NanoParticle Jetting allows Azoth to rapidly prototype components and then enter production with the same process. This drastically reduces time to market for our customers and the flexibility allows us to accommodate varying production demands.”

Azoth 3D is supported by the EWIE group of companies (EGC) who are specialists in high-volume metal manufacturing for some of the biggest manufacturers in the world including Ford, Stellantis, John Deere, and Rolls Royce. Azoth was established when EGC leaders realized additive manufacturing would eventually replace subtractive methods.

The company has supplied thousands of printed components to the consumer goods, automotive, tooling and health care industries.

“Azoth is all about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in additive manufacturing,” says Dror Danai, CBO of Xjet. “Azoth is a unique operation that already has extensive experience in metal — both traditional and additive manufacturing — and is deeply involved in the manufacturing of the parts made for its customers, selecting the most appropriate technology and developing the applications.”

Azoth combines traditional manufacturing quality systems with the on-demand efficiency of additive manufacturing, enabling cost effective metal prototyping, complex serial production, and spare parts on demand. The company is a pioneer in the industrialization of sinter-based metal additive manufacturing, previously being one of the first companies to independently commercialize Metal Binder Jetting additive manufacturing, and now being the first company globally to commercialize Metal NanoParticle Jetting.

“XJet offers leading capabilities in the marketplace that we want to offer,” Forgiarini says. “These include the ability to manufacture very small features with great resolution, great surface finish, and potentially more precision, accuracy, and repeatability. All these characteristics lead to better parts for Azoth’s customers and were the main reasons we selected XJet.”

Azoth says Metal NanoParticle Jetting is the ideal metal 3-D printing process for manufacturing small, complex shapes in high detail. It involves jetting of special “ink” — a liquid carrier with sub-micron particles of metal dispersed in it — jetted in ultra-thin layers.

“With additive manufacturing anything you can think of you can make,” Burk says. “And now, not only can you think it, but you can mass produce it.”