Metal printing
Printing in tool steel, stainless steel and copper is a revolution for engineering businesses, enabling Vortex 3D to supply complex manufactured parts in short timeframes. 3D printed metal parts can be partially hollow, reducing weight for weight critical applications, whilst providing the required strength.
Rapid prototyping
With 3D printing, prototypes can be quickly produced – especially on the faster FX20 printer.
Rather than starting with whole slabs or blocks of new steel, and then slowly machining away the majority of the steel to waste, 3D printing starts with just the right amount of steel as a powder – little or no waste. The time duration for 3D printing is measured in hours not days.
Continuous Fibre Reinforcement (CFR)
By simultaneously printing carbon fibre, the 3D printers at Vortex can produce parts with high strength printed composites. The new ULTEM fibre is a high temperature extremely durable thermoplastic, with the strength of aluminium.
For engineering businesses like Vortex 3D, who have extensive experience in traditional steel machining and use of 3D plastic printing, the move to 3D metal printing is an incredible transformation of the timeframe and cost of making parts and finished goods.

MarkForged has been selected as the prime supplier of 3D printing technology at Vortex 3D
Printers in use
MarkForged MetalX printers
MarkForged X7 carbon fibre printer
MarkForged FX20 industrial scale (size and speed) printer
Vortex 3D has been selected to be the exclusive NZ bureau for the new MarkForged FX20 3D printer. This latest technology machine offers high speed printing of large format items, and simultaneous printing of multiple smaller items – in a wide variety of materials. MarkForged sees the full service offering from the Vortex 3D team as the ideal showcase of what is possible with 3D additive engineering.