Markforged adds metal printing to its industrial 3D printer amid economic struggles

Markforged on Tuesday announced that it has added metal printing capabilities to its FX10 machine. Through the new FX10 Metal Kit, the industrial additive manufacturing machine is capable of printing with metal filaments, including a new stainless steel offering.

The system launched at the end of last year, with the ability to print composites. That includes carbon fiber and adjacent materials, including a carbon-fiber-filled nylon. The Boston-area company says it’s capable of printing parts “as strong as 6061-T6 Aluminum.”

“We designed the FX10 to be a modular platform, so that we are able to release new innovations and upgrades without customers having to purchase a new printer every year,” CEO Shai Terem says in a release. “Along with new software capabilities we release regularly, the FX10 Metal Kit is poised to provide continuously growing value on factory floors for years to come.”

The world of metal 3D printing has been in-flux this past year, the most notable example being Nano Dimension’s acquisition of Desktop Metal. The deal came two years after the once white-hot Desktop Metal cut staff by 12%.

Markforged had its own struggles this past year. In April, the company was ordered to pay $17.34 million after being sued for patent infringement by Continuous Composites.

“While [Markforged] is currently assessing the verdict’s impact on its business, given its strong balance sheet, effective cost controls and new, innovative product line [Markforged]  remains focused and excited about the future [Markforged]  and its ability to continue to drive the adoption of additive manufacturing on the factory floor,” the company wrote at the time.

Earlier this month, Terem outlined plans to lower Markforged’s annual operating expenses by upwards of $70 million during an earnings call. CFO Assaf Zipori noted that the company had terminated the lease agreement on its headquarters that quarter.