Technology & Material
Binder Jetting
Next‑generation aluminium binder jetting engineered for advanced thermal performance...
What is binder jetting technology?
Binder Jetting Technology (BJT) is an advanced metal additive manufacturing process that enables the production of complex, lightweight and high‑performance parts at scale. Unlike traditional manufacturing methods, BJT builds parts layer by layer from metal powder, selectively joining material only where it is needed. This opens new possibilities for design freedom, efficiency and sustainability.
How does Ricoh’s binder jetting process work?
- A thin layer of metal powder is spread across the build platform
- Ricoh’s inkjet technology selectively deposits a liquid binder to define the part geometry
- This process is repeated layer by layer to create a “green” part
- The part is then cured, debound and sintered to achieve its final strength and density
What material does Ricoh’s binder jetting technology use?
Ricoh’s Binder Jetting Technology uses a proprietary Aluminium-Silicon (Al-Si) alloy developed for scalable, cost-efficient metal additive manufacturing. It combines strong mechanical properties with excellent thermal performance and fine feature resolution.
- Proprietary Al-Si material system: combines Ricoh’s specially developed aluminium alloy powder and binder.
- Excellent thermal conductivity: delivers 170 W/mK, making it ideal for heat sinks, heat exchangers and other thermal-management components.
- Strong and ductile performance: provides a tensile strength of 110 MPa and 23% elongation at break.
- Fine feature capability: supports minimum wall thicknesses of 0.2 mm and clearances of 0.5 mm, depending on part geometry.
- High post-sintered density: achieves a relative density of 96% for strong, functional metal components.
- Safe and efficient handling: green strength of 10 MPa helps protect parts during handling and de-powdering before sintering.
- Flexible component sizing: suitable for parts typically ranging from 5–200 mm, with larger components possible through joining.
- Versatile post-processing: compatible with machining, brazing and anodising to support functional and assembled applications.
- Scalable, cost-efficient production: designed for higher-volume manufacturing at a significantly lower cost than laser-based metal additive manufacturing processes.
Can binder jetting contribute towards a sustainable future?
As electrification sweeps across automotive, aerospace, energy, electronics and more, effective thermal management becomes mission-critical. At the same time, environmental targets and global mandates are accelerating future-friendly technologies. Efficient thermal control is no longer just about performance — it’s about enabling sustainable electrification at scale.
Leveraging the capabilities of BJT, Ricoh is actively supporting and contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Towards the realisation of a zero-carbon society, businesses can contribute to the electrification of automotive, aircraft and other mobility industries alike – and multiple other industries too – by innovating heat exchange parts and making parts lighter and smaller.
