One of the toughest challenges in 3D metal printing has been solved by Australian company 3DM Surface Finishing. When an object is printed in metal it comes out fairly rough and must be smoothed for most applications, usually by machining, grinding, or polishing to achieve a better finish. This is expensive and time consuming.

For example, a Chromium-Cobalt dental implant that may only cost $500 to print via metal additive manufacturing (3D metal printing) costs a further $2,000 in labour hours to finish in post-processing via manual grinding. 3DM Surface Finishing technology can reduce this finishing cost by 50-90%, depending on the part.

3DM Surface Finishing has developed and patented the next step in the evolution of electro-polishing, called electro-ablation. Electro-ablation delivers high-speed, fine polishing of almost all metals and alloys 10 times faster at a tenth of the cost compared to current methods.

The technology works with almost all metal alloys including titanium alloys, niobium, aluminium alloys, inconel, nickel alloys, chromium alloys (stainless steel) and copper.

Melbourne Angels saw the opportunity provided by the technology in its very early stages and after an initial investment in 2019 have just completed a second-round investment in the company. They provide active support to the company through Paul Boxer (Chair) and Paul Baron (Board Member) who led the recent investment round.

“Melbourne Angels was excited to invest in a company that is going to make a big impact on advanced manufacturing, particularly at a time where supply lines and local manufacturing opportunities have come into increased focus. Since our first round investment in 2019 we have had to maintain a low profile until the patent work was complete and the technology was ready to be introduced to industry. It’s great to finally go public about it” said deal lead and shareholder elected board member, Paul Baron.

“3DM Surface Finishing has solved one of the central challenges for 3D metal printing: how to finish the rough outputs of 3D metal printing rapidly, cheaply and without specialised training. We have shared the capability of the technology with a small number of manufacturers who cannot wait to get their hands on this technology” said CEO and company founder Dean Klower.

But how big a problem is this for industry? Post Process Technologies’ second Annual Additive Post-Printing Survey (2020) of additive manufacturing (3D printing) companies reveals that:

The 3DM Surface Finishing technology can be used by hand held or robotically controlled devices for targeted applications (e.g. hip replacement parts). It is also available in an immersion bath for objects produced in a high volume production environment.

Typical applications of the technology include the post-processing of manufactured parts such as:

More information about 3DM Surface Finishing can be found at our website: https://3dmsurfacefinishing.com/

About Melbourne Angels

Operating since 2007, Melbourne Angels is a leading, diverse and inclusive group of Angel investors who work to realise high returns by helping rapid/high-growth, entrepreneurial Australian businesses succeed and exit in global markets. Based in Melbourne with links to Angel groups across Australasia, USA, Asia and Europe, Melbourne Angels realises co-investment from its national and international networks to assist its portfolio companies grow rapidly and expand in large markets. Melbourne Angels welcomes new investor members. Members receive training and other value-added services included with their membership.

For more information on this press release, or on Melbourne Angels please contact [email protected] or tel 0413 156 342