A year after launching, qualloy is gaining attention.
The company provides a very unique service to the 3D print community: they are an online marketplace for metal powders. Similar services have been created for filament, but for companies using the LPBF process to print metal objects, there aren’t a lot of places to go shopping for metal powder.
Because of this, many LPBF operators simply buy directly from the manufacturer of their equipment. That usually guarantees good results, but can sometimes be more expensive than using third-party powders. But where are these powders to be found? Normally, there’s an extensive search to be done to identify possible providers, and then an analysis to see which is the best option.
That work is short-circuited by Qualloy, where their online marketplace displays all the options in a consistent and easily comparable manner.
The entries include the key information. That includes a detailed breakdown of the chemical composition of the material, particle size distribution, flowability, and densities. Entries are also tagged with the eligible 3D print processes.
Pricing is also explained in detail, including payment terms, volume discount tiers, and there’s even a price calculator. Shipping costs are also detailed.
The entries also show the origin of the material. Looking through the current products on Qualloy shows most have an origin in China, but there are also entries from India, Austria, Germany, and the USA. There are other countries where metal powders are produced, but not all providers are participating in the Qualloy marketplace.
If you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, Qualloy offers assistance to guide buyers through the process. They are also able to provide assistance if a custom powder is required that doesn’t appear on the marketplace.
This all sounds very useful, and I’m sure Qualloy will grow as more companies participate either as a supplier or buyer.
One party that’s clearly quite interested in qualloy is Rosswag, a large German metal 3D print service. This week, they announced they’ve actually invested in qualloy in a seed series round. The new investment should allow qualloy to expand its services, attracting more buyers and suppliers.
Rosswag explains:
“Building on its existing marketplace for metal powder sourcing, qualloy is expanding its business in the coming months with its own line of internationally sourced powders that are qualified in Germany using Rosswag Engineering’s unique expertise. Rosswag will handle the qualification process, ensuring the highest standards of quality. Customers will be able to purchase the powders through qualloy’s user-friendly procurement processes, backed by local support representatives.”
This is an interesting development that should help qualloy grow, increasing the visibility of third-party metal powders to the AM community.
