Norwegian manufacturer Fieldmade and UK-based Plastometrex have announced a new partnership to enhance quality testing capabilities for metal 3D printing. The collaboration integrates Plastometrex’s PLX-Benchtop testing device into Fieldmade’s NOMAD mobile manufacturing systems.
The combined solution allows for on-site mechanical testing of 3D printed metal parts. The PLX-Benchtop uses a technology called Profilometry-based Indentation Plastometry (PIP) to perform non-destructive testing and generate stress-strain curves directly at the point of production.
The testing system requires minimal training to operate and does not need complex sample preparation. This makes it particularly suitable for remote locations where access to specialized testing expertise may be limited. According to Fieldmade Head of Quality Tobias Rønneberg, “The ease of use, the speed of testing and compact size of the PLX-Benchtop, makes it highly suitable for use in expeditionary manufacturing.”
The integration addresses a common challenge in deployable manufacturing settings, where traditional testing methods are often too cumbersome or time-consuming. Mike Coto, CCO of Plastometrex, noted that “Traditional testing methods are too slow and inflexible for effective use in deployable settings.”
This partnership enables users to validate the mechanical integrity of metal 3D printed parts within minutes of production. The combined system provides both manufacturing and testing capabilities in a portable format, making it suitable for remote operations and time-sensitive applications.
