AO Metal A50-HT — LPBF metal 3D printer with a 900 °C build plate
For alloys that crack on a cooler plate.
The A50-HT builds the A50’s Ø50 × 100 mm parts on an induction-heated plate that reaches 900 °C, for tool steels and refractory metals that crack from thermal stress on a cooler plate. A 300, 500 or 1000 W fiber laser, a water chiller and every process setting open. Designed and manufactured in the U.S.A.
What the A50-HT is
A printer of its own, built around the heat.
Some alloys only print well hot. Tool steels such as H13 and refractory metals such as tungsten, tantalum, niobium and molybdenum build up thermal stress as each layer cools, and crack when the plate below them is cooler. The A50-HT is built around an induction-heated build module: the plate under the part reaches 900 °C, and the temperature is set per job in AO Build Studio.
It keeps the A50’s Ø50 × 100 mm build, its fiber lasers and its software, so files and working habits carry over. A water chiller comes with the printer and stands beside it, and the machine runs on 208 V three phase.
How it differs from the A50
Comes with
- A 900 °C induction-heated build plate, as standard
- A water chiller beside the printer
- A 208 V three-phase input, 60 Hz, for a 60 A circuit
- The same fiber lasers: 300, 500 or 1000 W
The A50-HT is priced in a formal quotation, with configuration, payment terms and lead time. Each one is built to order, with a lead time of 8 to 14 weeks.
Why labs choose it
Technical specifications
| Parameter | A50-HT |
|---|---|
| Technology | Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) |
| Build envelope | Ø50 × 100 mm · Ø1.97 × 3.94 in |
| Fiber laser | 1064 nm · 300, 500 or 1000 W |
| Blue laser | Not offered on the HT printers |
| Laser spot | 75 µm · 55 µm optional |
| Scan system | Galvo scan head + F-theta lens |
| Max scanning speed | Up to 12 m/s |
| Layer thickness | 15–100 µm |
| Build plate heating | Induction heated, up to 900 °C |
| Inert gas | Argon, under 2 L/min |
| Parameter | A50-HT |
|---|---|
| Cooling | Water chiller, included |
| Material changeover | About 2 hours |
| Software | AO Build Studio + AO Build Slicer |
| File format | STL |
| Power supply | 208 V 3-phase · 60 Hz · 60 A circuit · IEC 60309 60 A receptacle or hardwired |
| Peak power, estimated | About 12.6 kW with the chiller, most of it the induction generator at full output; about 0.5 kW holding the plate at temperature |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 1890 × 810 × 1950 mm · 74.4 × 31.9 × 76.8 in, chiller separate |
| Floor space with the monitor arm | 1890 × 1160 mm · 74.4 × 45.7 in |
| Weight | About 700 kg · 1,540 lb |
| Warranty | 12 months |
| Price | Quoted |
Materials
Made for the alloys that need heat.
The A50-HT runs the A50 alloy list except the metals that need the blue laser. The list is open: for an alloy we have not run yet, our process engineers develop and validate the parameters and hand over the program.
Who it is for
A50-HT among the line
The A50-HT shares its build size and software with the A50, and its heated build module with the A100-HT, which has four times the plate area. All of them run AO Build Studio, so a process moves between machines as a file.
| Model | A50 | A50-HT | A100-HT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build envelope | Ø50 × 100 mm | Ø50 × 100 mm | Ø100 × 100 mm |
| Build plate heating | 250 °C | 900 °C, induction heated | 900 °C, induction heated |
| Fiber laser | 300, 500 or 1000 W | 300, 500 or 1000 W | 300, 500 or 1000 W |
| 455 nm blue laser | Optional | — | — |
| Material change | 2 hours | About 2 hours | About 3 hours |
| Price | from $89,000 | Quoted | Quoted |
Questions
When do we need the A50-HT rather than the A50?
When the alloy cracks from thermal stress on the A50’s 250 °C plate: some tool steels such as H13, and refractory metals such as tungsten, tantalum, niobium and molybdenum. For steels, titanium, nickel alloys and aluminium the A50 is enough.
Why is there no blue laser?
The HT printers are built around the induction-heated build module and run the fiber laser. Copper, gold and silver need the 455 nm blue laser, which is offered on the A50 and A100.
What power supply does it need?
208 V three phase, 60 Hz: three lines and ground, no neutral, from a 60 A circuit through an IEC 60309 60 A pin-and-sleeve receptacle, or hardwired. By our estimate the printer peaks at about 12.6 kW with its chiller, most of it the induction generator at full output; by our calculation the plate holds its temperature on about 0.5 kW and takes about 2.3 kW while heating up. Your quotation confirms the chiller.
How much space does it take?
The printer is 1890 × 810 mm and 1950 mm tall. With the monitor arm out it takes 1890 × 1160 mm of floor, and the arm comes off to pass a 32-inch door. It weighs about 700 kg. The water chiller stands beside it; your quotation confirms its size.
What else do we need to run it?
Argon, a wet vacuum cleaner (explosion-proof for reactive metals) and a powder sieving machine. A heat-treatment furnace, a bandsaw or small lathe and polishing tools are recommended for finishing.
How is it priced?
In a formal quotation with the configuration, price, payment terms and lead time. Tell us the alloy and the part, or put the configuration together in the configurator.
What do installation and warranty cover?
Installation and operator training are included, with a named engineer for your account. The warranty covers laser, scanner, blower, motors and electrical systems for 12 months.
Downloads
Tell us the alloy and the part.
We will come back with the configuration that fits, a formal quotation and the lead time. Call (747) 800-4854 or write to [email protected].