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ARC Impact X160Pro – Ceramic Binder Jetting for Silicon Carbide
The X160Pro from ARC Impact (formerly Desktop Metal) is the world's largest binder jetting system for the production of metal, ceramic, and composite parts. Exciting potential is emerging for ceramic materials such as silicon carbide: for example, in aerospace applications like space mirrors, in defense for ballistic protection applications such as body armor, and for heat exchangers in data centers.
Would you like to find out more about the X160Pro system for producing applications made from silicon carbide?
Contact our binder jetting expert Frederik Nussbaumer for a free consultation and demonstration.
Printing process
The X160Pro system is based on the binder jetting process and has been enhanced with advanced Triple ACT technology, which enables the production of functional precision parts with high density and repeatability.
Step 1: Print
In the binder jetting process, a binder is applied to a layer of loose powder via several thousand nozzles according to the component cross-section. The system also features industrial piezoelectric print heads and the patented Triple ACT compaction technology, which dispenses, evenly distributes and compacts ultra-fine powders with strict parameter controls.
Step 2: De-powdering
Once assembly is complete, the build box is removed and placed in a powder station for coarse and fine de-powdering using an air picker. A built-in powder recycling system with powder sieving removes loose powder from the parts and recovers it.
Step 3: Sintering
After depowdering, the components are sintered in a furnace at temperatures of up to 1400 °C. At temperatures close to the melting point, the binder escapes from the component and the molecular chains fuse together, allowing the desired mechanical properties to be achieved.
Central advantages
Build Volume
With a build volume of 800 × 500 × 400 mm, the X160Pro is the largest available binder jetting system for metals, ceramics, and composites, giving manufacturers a scalable path to production.
Maximum material flexibility
The system enables the processing of a wide range of materials, including more than two dozen metal, ceramic, and composite materials as well as different binders.
Triple ACT
The patented technology doses, distributes, and compacts ultra-fine powders in the powder bed. Triple ACT enables a homogeneous powder bed with reproducible print results.
Highest final part density
With a final part density of between 97-99%, the X160Pro delivers the best results compared to other additive manufacturing technologies.
Applications
Ceramic binder jetting and binder jetting silicon carbide open up new application fields for additive manufacturing – from aerospace and defense to industrial thermal applications. Three examples:
Heat exchangers with gyroid structures achieve higher efficiency thanks to their enlarged surface area. Silicon carbide (SiC) also offers excellent thermal conductivity as a material.
The X160Pro enables series production of body armor plates from SiSiC using the binder jetting process. Silicon carbide combines very high hardness and stiffness with low weight. Additive manufacturing's design freedom makes it possible to tailor protection individually to the wearer.
Reactors made from graphite (synthetic carbon) are used in the production of hydrogen from methane (methane pyrolysis). Graphite is well suited to this application thanks to its low weight, excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, and chemical resistance.
Qualified material variety
Metal
The industry standard materials include the stainless steels 17-4PH, 304L and 316L as well as M2 tool steel and Inconel718. Further metals are currently under development
Ceramics
Common ceramic materials include carbon, glass, silicone carbide and tungsten carbide cobalt. Other ceramics are currently under development.
Binder
The open platform makes it possible to choose between the special binders CleanFuse, AquaFuse, FluidFuse and PhenolFuse, which offer unique advantages depending on the material.
And more
Our experts will provide you with a detailed list of all materials that have already been qualified and are currently being developed!
FAQ
Why does binder jetting silicon carbide enable the production of such large parts?
Unlike metal binder jetting, manufacturing applications from silicon-infiltrated SiC allows for large-volume parts. Infiltration causes the parts to shrink by only 3–5%. With a build volume of 800 × 500 × 400 mm, the X160Pro is therefore a perfectly suited platform.
Where is the X160Pro manufactured?
The X160Pro is manufactured in Germany and is therefore “Made in Germany.”
What materials can be processed with the X160Pro?
The X160Pro processes more than two dozen metal, ceramic, and composite materials on an open material platform. Common metals include the stainless steels 17-4PH, 304L, and 316L, as well as M2 tool steel and Inconel 718. In ceramics, materials available include carbon, glass, silicon carbide, and tungsten carbide cobalt. Additional materials are continuously being qualified.
Can I use my own materials or binders with the X160Pro?
Yes. The X160Pro is built on an open material platform and supports switching between the binders CleanFuse, AquaFuse, FluidFuse, and PhenolFuse, each offering different advantages depending on the material. AM Pioneers also works with material manufacturers, research institutions, and customers to continuously qualify new, application-specific materials for the platform.
How are printed SiC parts thermally treated?
Unlike metal parts, which are conventionally sintered, printed SiC parts undergo a siliconization process: the porous green body is infiltrated with liquid silicon at high temperature, filling the open pores. As a result, the parts shrink by only about 3–5%, significantly less than the roughly 20% shrinkage seen when sintering metallic materials — a key reason for the high dimensional accuracy achievable even in large-format SiC parts.
Is the X160Pro suitable for series production?
Yes. The X160Pro was developed for continuous factory operation and is therefore built for true series production, not just prototyping. The patented Triple ACT technology ensures a homogeneous powder bed and reproducible print results across many build jobs, while the large build volume of 800 × 500 × 400 mm enables high throughput even with larger or multiple parts per build job. This makes the system a scalable solution for companies moving from research samples to series production parts in metal, ceramic, or composite materials.
Where can I buy the X160Pro?
AM Pioneers is the official sales partner for ARC Impact (formerly Desktop Metal) across the German-speaking region — Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. If you’d like to purchase an X160Pro, feel free to contact us: our experts will advise you on configuration, materials, and your specific application.
Does AM Pioneers offer training or technical support for the system?
Yes. AM Pioneers supports customers beyond the initial equipment delivery — from commissioning and operator training to ongoing technical support and advice on materials and process questions. Contact our team to discuss the services best suited to your application.
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