Consumer metal 3d printer

The fixture must be regularly replaced as it wears out. Printing the part with the Studio System eliminates CNC lead time and frees up the machine shop for more critical work.

• Size (mm): 47 x 28 x 15
• Cost to print: $14.00

• Bound Metal Deposition™

Tri Manifold

Manufacturing Alloy 625

This part converges three flow paths into one via internal channels. These channels would be impossible to machine and instead would need to be drilled as straight holes and plugged.

Printing on the Studio System allows these channels to be designed for their function rather than their manufacturing method. This part can be produced in just a few days with very little hands-on work.

• Size (mm): 108 x 101 x 98
• Cost to print: ($) 906.00
• Cost to DMLS ($): 4069.28
• Savings vs. machining: 77.74%

Bound Metal Deposition™

Generative Piston Head

Generative Design, Prototyping 4140

Prototype piston head for a reciprocating engine, optimized with generative design. Typically CNC machined from aluminum alloy, pistons can be time-consuming and difficult to rapidly prototype and test.

It often takes months or even years to move from design to production. With the Studio System, various piston designs can be easily prototyped and tested—speeding up product development timelines, reducing time to market, and introducing new opportunities for optimization, including generative design—all while avoiding CNC backlog and lead times.

• Size (mm): 105 x 105 x 54
• Cost to print ($): 271.00
• Cost to machine ($): 568.13
• Savings vs. machining: 52.30%

Bound Metal Deposition™

YE6 Burner Tip

Tooling and Machinery 316L Stainless Steel

This burner tip was originally cast in the 1950s. With the Studio System, the company was able to recreate the part with properties similar to the original cast part, with no tooling cost or long lead times.

The quote for new tooling is usually in the tens of thousands of dollars. Thus, Studio System 2, a printer that was designed from the ground up for simple installation and use, allows for significant cost savings, especially when it comes to manufacturing obsolete parts at low costs and without compromising part quality.

• Size (mm): 139 x 139 x 86
• Cost to print ($): 193.46
• Cost to machine: ($) 694.00
• Cost reduction: 72.00%

Bound Metal Deposition™

Helical Heat Exchanger

Manufacturing Copper

This heat exchanger enables a much higher heat transfer rate than a traditionally manufactured part. Used in chemical processing to cool a hot gas as it flows through a pipe.

The Studio System allows for the complex geometry of the heat exchanger to easily be printed as a single component. It would not be manufacturable as one component via CNC machining due to its thin external fins and a complex, internal helical cooling channel.

• Size (mm): 78 x 64 x 58
• Cost to print ($): 443.00
• Cost to machine ($): 2138.00
• Cost reduction: 79.28%

Bound Metal Deposition™

Zipper Mold

Material: h23 Tool Steel

This part is an injection mold insert for manufacturing zinc zippers.

The 3D printing of the mold inserts shortens production run lead time and allows rapid iteration and refinement of zipper designs. Using a high-resolution printhead allows for smaller parts with finer features, requiring less post-processing.

Size (mm): 46 x 27 x 18
Cost to print ($): 16.00

Bound Metal Deposition (BMD)™

Studio System™ | Desktop Metal

_Studio System™ applications

Studio System™ applications span a variety of industries including manufacturing, tooling, automotive, consumer, electronics, and oil & gas.

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  Extrusion Die

  h23

  This die is used in the manufacture of extruded plastic framing.

  Extrusion Die

  • Size (mm) 74 x 74 x 56

    Cost to print ($) 156.00

    Cost to machine ($) 329.67

    Cost reduction 52.68%

  • Metal 3D printing reduces lead times and costs - allowing for rapid iteration and refinement of the die design. Furthermore, lower tooling costs and lead times makes low volume custom extrusion dies economically feasible.

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  Rook Chess Piece

  316L

  One of six types of movable objects used in the game of chess.

  Rook Chess Piece

  • Size (mm) 46 x 46 x 72

    Cost to print ($) 46.00

    Cost to machine ($) 329.67

    Cost reduction 52.68%

  • Unique chess piece designs can easily be 3D printed without the long lead times and costs associated with tooling. The Studio System’s high resolution print head produces small parts with fine features and surface finish.
    

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  YE6 Burner Tip

  316L

  This burner tip is used to shape the flame in industrial burners.

  YE6 Burner Tip

  • Size (mm) 139 x 139 x 86

    Cost to print ($) 193.46

    Cost to machine ($) 694.00

    Cost reduction 72.00%

  • This burner tip was originally cast in the 1950s, and the tooling has since been lost for it. When a customer needed a replacement, the quote for new tooling was in the tens of thousands of dollars.

    With the Studio System, the company was able to recreate the part with properties similar to the original cast part, with no tooling cost or long lead times for the customer.

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  Putter

  17-4 PH

  Custom designed golf putter is an example of the customization that is possible with 3D printing.

  Putter

  • Size (mm) 135 x 92 x 38

    Cost to print ($) 128.00

    Cost to machine ($) 2203.00

    Cost reduction 94.00%

  • Golf clubs, especially putters, are typically cast or machined. With the Studio System, manufacturers can achieve excellent material properties without tooling or expensive CNC machining.

    The Studio System allows for customization of parts like putters, so each player can have a design that is best suited to them. And when those designs go into mass production, they can be manufactured via binder jetting.

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  Flower Nozzle

  316L

  This flower nozzle is used to atomize fluid in industrial equipment.

  Flower Nozzle

  • Size (mm) 123 x 123 x 45

    Cost to print ($) 184. 00

  • Due to its complex geometry, these parts would typically be cast followed by extensive secondary machining. With the Studio System, the nozzle can be 3D printed without the lead times and setup costs of casting, enabling one-off and small batch orders.

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  Impeller

  316L

  This impeller is used to control the pressure and flow of fluids in equipment like pumps and compressors.

  Impeller

  • Size (mm) 82 x 82 x 28

    Cost to print ($) 63. 00

    Cost to machine ($) 2138.00

    Cost reduction 97.05%

  • Their complex vanes make impellers expensive and difficult to manufacture. When a custom impeller is needed metal 3D printing accelerates design optimization and product development by dramatically reducing lead time and cost.

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  Sheet Metal Embosser

  4140

  This custom embosser is used in sheet metal fabrication.

  Sheet Metal Embosser

  • Size (mm) 47 x 28 x 15

    Cost to print ($) 14. 00

  • Sheet metal tools are used for a broad range of fabrication operations, including stamping, bending, countersinking and embossing.

    3D printing with the Studio System reduces tool fabrication costs, shortens production run lead time, and enables rapid iteration and refinement of the sheet metal designs and associated tooling.

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  Zipper Mold

  h23

  This part is an Injection mold insert for manufacturing zinc zippers.

  Zipper Mold

  • Size (mm) 46 x 27 x 18

    Cost to print ($) 16. 00

  • 3D printing the mold inserts shortens production run lead time and allows rapid iteration and refinement of zipper designs. Using a high resolution printhead allows for smaller parts with finer features, requiring less post processing.
    

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  Skateboard Truck

  17-4 PH

  This part attaches wheels to a skateboard deck, and was optimized using generative design tools

  Skateboard Truck

  • Size (mm) 201 x 76 x 52

    Cost to print ($) 161. 00

    Cost to DMLS ($) 1163.00

    Cost reduction 86.00%

  • Generative design and 3D printing allows for the fabrication of innovative designs impossible with casting (the traditional production method for skateboard trucks).

    The Studio System can print that previously impossible geometry, resulting in trucks that are more aesthetically pleasing, stronger, and lighter.

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  Master Drilling Sun Gear

  17-4 PH

  This part is a sun gear used in a planetary gearbox for an earth-drilling machine.

  Master Drilling Sun Gear

  • Size (mm) 118 x 118 x 118

    Cost to print ($) 658. 00

    Cost to machine ($) 916.00

    Cost reduction 28.17%

  • After exploring a number of alternative manufacturing methods to produce the parts needed to keep crucial machinery up and running, Master Drilling chose 3D printing. The switch to 3D printing cut their lead time for replacement parts from about three months for off-shore castings, to just three weeks printing on-site, thereby reducing downtime for the earth drilling equipment.

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  Mouthpiece Mold

  h23

  Mold insert is used to injection mold medical inhaler mouthpieces.

  Mouthpiece Mold

  • Size (mm) 104 x 93 x 48

    Cost to print ($) 345.00

    Cost to machine ($) 716.77

    Cost reduction 51.87%

  • 3D printing the hard steel insert to near-net shape eliminates 95% of the required CNC machining and associated tool wear.

    Because cooling accounts for 95% of the mold cycle time, the ability to incorporate conformal cooling channels into the mold can reduce mold cycle time and increase throughput.

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  UMC End Effectors

  17-4 PH

  These grippers are used to fixture and move aerospace forgings on a manufacturing line.

  UMC End Effectors

  • Size (mm) 55 x 32 x 16

    Cost to print ($) 23.00

    Cost to machine ($) 194.00

    Cost reduction 88.14%

  • The complex geometry of end effectors requires extensive CNC machining, resulting in long lead times that occupy valuable CNC capacity. Using metal 3D printing allows for on-demand manufacturing of custom end effectors while lowering part cost and lead time.

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  APG Thread Checker Fixture

  17-4 PH

  This fixture pushes a thread checker into a part on a manufacturing line.

  APG Thread Checker Fixture

  • Size (mm) 47 x 28 x 15

    Cost to print ($) 14.00

  • This fixture pushes a thread checker into a part on a manufacturing line. As a wear item, it needs to stand up to repeated use, and must be easily produced to keep the manufacturing line up.

    The fixture must be regularly replaced as it wears out. Printing the part with the Studio System eliminates CNC lead time and frees up the machine shop for more critical work.

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  BattleBots Bot Support

  17-4 PH

  This part is a structural member for use in the bot's robotic arm.

  BattleBots Bot Support

  • Size (mm) 130 x 117 x 64

    Cost to print ($) 106. 00

    Cost to machine ($) 551.90

    Cost reduction 81.00%

  • This support is designed to carry a heavy load and withstand punishment. Engineers working on a bot used on a Discovery Channel program BattleBots had less than a month to produce a custom structural element on robotic arm. Using the Studio system, they were able to print a bracket capable of resisting bending and lateral motion while providing the stiffness, strength, weldability and fire resistance required.

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  APG Chuck Jaws

  h23

  This part is used to hold a workpiece in place during machining lathe operations.

  APG Chuck Jaws

  • Size (mm) 84 x 78 x 42

    Cost to print ($) 117.00

    Cost to machine ($) 426.36

    Cost reduction 72.56%

  • These chuck jaws closely match the geometry of the part being machined - making them complex to machine. Printing them using the Studio System eliminates CNC lead time and frees up the machine shop for more critical work.

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  O-Ring End Effector

  17-4 PH

  This end effector is used to stretch and install O-rings on a hydraulic fitting.

  O-Ring End Effector

  • Size (mm) 42 x 13 x 17

    Cost to print ($) 7.00

    Cost to machine ($) 152.17

    Cost reduction 95.40%

  • Small, detailed parts like these end effectors typically require expensive CNC machining and have long lead times. Using the Studio System’s high resolution (250μm) printhead allows manufacturers to print small parts with fine features which would be difficult to machine

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  APG Coining Fixture

  h23

  This fixture is used to achieve critical tolerances on metal injection molded (MIM) parts.

  APG Coining Fixture

  • Size (mm) 110 x 57 x 31

    Cost to print ($) 92.00

    Cost to machine ($) 392.00

    Cost reduction 75.63%

  • Fixture like this require custom geometry for each application, as well as superior wear resistance. The faster these parts are manufactured, the quicker a company can get get manufacturing lines running.

    Printing these parts with the Studio System eliminates CNC lead time and frees up the machine shop for more critical work.

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  Helical Heat Exchanger

  Copper

  Used in chemical processing to cool a hot gas as it flows through a pipe.

  Helical Heat Exchanger

  • Size (mm) 78 x 64 x 58

    Cost to print ($) 443.00

    Cost to machine ($) 2138.00

    Cost reduction 79.28%

  • This heat exchanger enables a much higher heat transfer rate than a traditionally manufactured part. Featuring thin external fins and a complex, internal helical cooling channel, this exchanger would not be manufacturable as one component via CNC machining.
    

    The Studio System allows for the complex geometry of the heat exchanger to easily be printed as a single component.
    

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  UHT Atomizer

  316L

  This part is a fuel atomizer for a steam boiler on a liquid natural gas (LNG) tanker.

  UHT Atomizer

  • Size (mm) 74 x 74 x 71

    Cost to print ($) 129. 00

    Cost to DMLS ($) 1089.00

    Cost reduction 88.00%

  • This 3D printed atomizer features complex internal channels and oblong shaped holes, which could not be manufactured with traditional methods. With the Studio System, the engineers were able to radically redesign their conventional atomizers for significantly better performance.

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  Octopus Ring

  316L

  Example of the unique jewelry that can be customized and scaled for a tailored fit.

  Octopus Ring

  • Size (mm) 38 x 38 x 30

    Cost to print ($) 14. 00

  • Unique jewelry pieces can be 3D printed without the design lock-in, long lead times and costs associated with tooling. The Studio System’s high resolution print head produces small parts with fine features and surface finish.

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  Lathe Gear

  17-4 PH

  This part is a replacement gear for vintage (circa 1940) lathe.

  Lathe Gear

  • Size (mm) 82 x 82 x 27

    Cost to print ($) 58. 00

    Cost to machine ($) 260.67

    Savings vs. machining 77.70%

  • In some cases, replacement parts are no longer available, either off the shelf or from the OEM. Fabricating custom gears via hobbing and broaching is often prohibitively expensive, but metal 3D printing allows for the fabrication of legacy parts at much lower cost.

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  Tri Manifold

  Alloy 625

  This manifold is used to combine three flows into one common flow.

  Tri Manifold

  • Size (mm) 108 x 101 x 98

    Cost to print ($) 906. 00

    Cost to DMLS ($) 4069.28

    Savings vs. machining 77.74%

  • This part converges three flow paths into one via internal channels. These channels would be impossible to machine, and instead would need to be drilled as straight holes and plugged.

    Printing on the Studio System allows these channels to be designed for their function rather than their manufacturing method. This part can be produced in just a few days with very little hands on work.

• ---

  Generative Piston Head

  4140

  Prototype piston head for a reciprocating engine, optimized with generative design.

  Generative Piston Head

  • Size (mm) 105 x 105 x 54

    Cost to print ($) 271.00

    Cost to machine ($) 568.13

    Savings vs. machining 52.30%

  • Typically CNC machined from aluminum alloy, pistons can be time consuming and difficult to rapidly prototype and test - often taking months or even years to move from design to production.

    With the Studio System, various piston designs can be easily prototyped and tested—speeding up product development timelines, reducing time to market, and introducing new opportunities for optimization, including generative design—all while avoiding CNC backlog and lead times.

• ---

  Pump Housing

  17-4 PH

  This is part of the housing for a hydraulic pump.

  Pump Housing

  • Size (mm) 136 x 131 x 47

    Cost to print ($) 243.00

    Cost to machine ($) 708.68

    Savings vs. machining 65.68%

  • This part would typically be cast, followed by secondary machining operations - resulting in long lead times and high costs.

    By printing on the Studio System, the long lead time associated with casting can be avoided, and the cost to machine from scratch is greatly reduced - allowing the manufacturer to produce the part in-house and enabling cost-effective rapid design iteration and pilot runs.

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  Guitar tailpiece

  17-4 PH

  The guitar tailpiece anchors one end of the guitar strings.

  Guitar tailpiece

  • Size (mm) 127 x 28 x 20

    Cost to print ($) 36.00

    Cost to machine ($) 343. 28

    Savings vs. machining 89.51%

  • The guitar tailpiece is typically cast from aluminum, and can be fairly expensive to customize for short manufacturing runs.

    Printing in steel allows design freedom and part customization while eliminating tooling costs. Steel tailpieces also exhibit more pleasing resonance and sustain characteristics for some genres and playing styles.

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  Cuff Ring

  316L

  Example of the unique jewelry that can be customized and scaled for a tailored fit.

  Cuff Ring

  • Size (mm) 59 x 54 x 80

    Cost to print ($) 43. 00

  • Unique jewelry pieces can be 3D printed without the design lock-in, long lead times and costs associated with tooling. The Studio System’s high resolution print head produces small parts with fine features and surface finish.

technologies, equipment, materials and new opportunities

There is no hotter trend in 3D printing today than metal. We will talk about metal printing at home, how it is done on an industrial scale, about technologies, applications, printers, processes, prices and materials. Over the past few years, 3D metal printing has been actively gaining popularity. And this is quite natural: each material offers a unique combination of practical and aesthetic qualities, can be suitable for a wide range of products, prototypes, miniatures, decorations, functional details and even kitchen utensils. The reason metal 3D printing has become so popular is because the printed objects can be mass-produced.

In fact, some of the printed parts are just as good (if not better) than those made by traditional methods. In traditional production, working with plastic and metal can be quite wasteful - there is a lot of waste, a lot of excess material is used. When an aircraft manufacturer makes metal parts, up to 90% of the material is simply cut off. 3D printed metal parts require less energy and waste is reduced to a minimum. It is also important that the final 3D printed product is up to 60% lighter than a traditional part. Billions of dollars could be saved in the aviation industry alone—mainly through weight savings and fuel savings. So, what do we need to know about metal 3D printing?

3D printing with metal at home

If you want to make objects at home that will look like metal, your best bet is to look at metalized PLA filaments (Photo: colorFabb)

Where to start if you want to print metal objects at home? Given the extreme heat required for true metal 3D printing, a conventional FDM 3D printer will not be able to do this.

It is unlikely that in this decade it will be possible to print with liquid metal at home. Until 2020, you probably will not have a printer specialized for this purpose at home. But in a few years, as nanotechnology advances, we may see significant developments in new applications. This can be 3D printed with conductive silver, which will emit in much the same way as it does in 2D home printers. It will even be possible to mix different materials like plastic and metal in one object.

Materials for Metal 3D Printing at Home

Even though you can't print actual metal objects at home, you can turn to plastic filament that has metal powders added to it. Bestfilament, ColorFabb, ProtoPasta and TreeD Filaments offer interesting metal-PLA composite filaments. These filaments, containing a significant percentage of metal powders, remain pliable enough to be printed at low temperatures (200 to 300 Celsius) on virtually any 3D printer. At the same time, they contain enough metal to make the final object look, feel, and even weigh like metal. Iron-based filaments even rust under certain conditions.

But you can go further. Typically, up to 50 percent metal powder is added to 3D printing filament. Dutch company Formfutura says they have achieved 85 percent metal powder with 15 percent PLA. These filaments are called MetalFil Ancient Bronze and Metalfil Classic Copper. They can be printed even at "moderate" temperatures from 190 to 200 degrees Celsius.

Metal 3D Printing Filament Spools, in this case by SteelFill and CopperFill colorFabb (Steel and Bronze), Ancient Bronze by Formfutura

Here are the key points about metal printing at home

• Get a unique metal surface and look
• Ideal for jewelry, figurines, household utensils, replicas
• Durability
• Objects are not flexible (structural dependent)
• Objects do not dissolve
• Not considered food safe
• Typical print temperature: 195 - 220°C
• Extremely low shrinkage on cooling
• Table heating not required
• Printing complexity is high, requires fine tuning of nozzle temperature, feed rate, post-processing

Preparing Your Home Printer for Metal 3D Printing

Since getting metal 3D prints is more difficult than usual, you may need to upgrade your 3D printer nozzle, especially if you are an entry-level printer. The metal filament wears it out quickly. There are hard-wearing hot-ends (like the E3D V6) that are themselves made of metal. They can withstand high temperatures and fit most printers. Be prepared for the fact that the nozzles will have to be changed frequently, because the metal filament is very abrasive.

You will also need to take care of the final finishing of the surface (cleaning, grinding, oiling, waxing or priming) so that the printed metal object shines as it should.

How much is metal filament for 3D printing?

And what about metal filament for 3D printing? - you ask. Here are some examples:

• A 500-gram BFSteel and BFBronse coil from Bestfilament costs 1600–1800 ₽
• ColorFabb's 750 gram Bronzefill spool is $56.36
• ColorFabb's 750 gram Copperfill spool is $56.36
• Protopasta's Polishable Stainless Steel PLA Composite is $56 for 56 grams
• Protopasta's Rustable Magnetic Iron PLA Composite is $34.99 for 500 grams

Industrial Metal 3D Printing

But what if you want better results or even full metal 3D printing? Should a real "metal" 3D printer be purchased for business needs? We wouldn't recommend it - unless you're going to be doing it every day. A professional metal 3D printer is expensive: EOS or Stratasys devices will cost you 100-500 thousand dollars. In addition, the costs will be even greater, since you will have to hire an operator, a worker to maintain the machine, as well as to finalize the printouts (polishing, for example). Just a note: In 2016, an affordable metal 3D printer didn't exist.

Reducing Metal 3D Printing Costs

If you are not going to open a metal 3D printing business, but still need a professionally 3D printed metal part, it is better to contact the appropriate company that provides such services. 3D printing services like Shapeways, Sculpteo and iMaterialise offer direct metal printing. They currently work with the following metal materials in 3D printing:

• aluminum
• steel
• brass
• copper
• bronze
• sterling silver
• gold
• platinum
• titanium

If you are a jeweler, you can also order wax models for casting in precious metals. If we talk about wax models, then in most cases it is they (with subsequent melting) that are used when printing with metals (including gold and silver). Not all orders are carried out directly by these firms. They usually turn to other metal 3D printing companies to complete the order. However, the number of such services around the world is growing rapidly. In addition, metal 3D printing techniques are becoming more and more common in companies that offer such services.

The reason big companies love 3D printing so much is that it can be used to build fully automated lines that produce "topologically optimized" parts. This means that it is possible to fine-tune the raw materials and make the components thicker only if they must withstand heavy loads. In general, the mass of parts is significantly reduced, while their structural integrity is preserved. And this is not the only advantage of this technology. In some cases, the product turns out to be significantly cheaper and affordable for almost everyone.

Please note that metal 3D printing requires special CAD programs for modeling. It is worth paying attention to the recommendations of Shapeways - 3D printing metal guidelines. To delve further into the topic, check out Statasys’ information on related 3D printers and the nuances of metal 3D printing.

Here are some examples of Benchy test model prices for metal 3D printing:

• Metal plastic: $22.44 (former alumide, PLA with aluminum)
• Stainless steel: $83.75 (plated, polished)
• Bronze: $299.91 (solid, polished)
• Silver: $713.47 (solid, mirror polished)
• Gold: $87.75 (gold plated, polished)
• Gold: $12,540 (solid, 18K gold)
• Platinum: $27,314 (solid, polished)

As you might expect, solid metal 3D printing prices are quite high.

Metal 3D printing. Applications

GE LEAP aircraft engine parts 3D printed at Avio Aero (Photo: GE)

There are several industries that already use 3D printers to make everyday objects - you may not even know that these objects are printed.

• The most common case is surgical and dental implants, which in this design are now considered the best option for patients. Reason: they can be tailored to individual needs.
• Another industry is jewelry. Here, most manufacturers have abandoned resin 3D printing and wax casting, switching directly to metal 3D printing.
• In addition, the aerospace industry is becoming more and more dependent on 3D printed metal objects. The Italian company Ge-AvioAero was the first to do all-metal 3D printing. It manufactures components for LEAP aircraft engines.
• Another industry targeting metal 3D printing is the automotive industry. BMW, Audi, FCA are seriously considering this technology, not only for prototyping (3D printing has been used for this for quite some time), but also for making real parts.

Before metal 3D printing really takes off, however, there are some hurdles to overcome. And first of all, this is a high price, which cannot be made lower than during molding. Another problem is the low production speed.

3D metal printing.

Most metal 3D printing processes start with an “atomized” powder

You can talk a lot about “metal” 3D printers, but their main problems remain the same as any other 3D – printers: software and hardware limitations, material optimization and multimateriality. We won't talk too much about the software, we'll just say that most of the major specialized software companies, such as Autodesk, SolidWorks and solidThinking, try to emphasize as much as possible the fact that as a result of the 3D metal printing process, you can get any shape you want.

In general, printed metal parts can be as strong as parts made by traditional processes. Parts made using DMLS technology have mechanical properties equivalent to casting. In addition, the porosity of objects made on a good "metal" 3D printer can reach 99.5%. In fact, manufacturer Stratasys claims that 3D printed metal parts perform above industry standards when tested for density.

3D printed metal can have different resolutions. At the highest resolution, layer thickness is 0.0008 - 0.0012" and X/Y resolution is 0.012 - 0.016". The minimum hole diameter is 0.035 - 0.045″. Let's, however, consider what metal 3D printing technologies are.

Metal 3D Printing Process #1:

Powder Bed Fusion

The metal 3D printing process that most relevant large companies use today is called Powder Bed Fusion. This name indicates that some source of energy (a laser or other energy beam) melts an "atomized" powder (i.e., a metal powder that is carefully ground into spherical particles), resulting in layers of a printed object.

There are eight major manufacturers of metal 3D printers in the world that already use this technology; while we are talking here, there are more and more such companies. Most of them are in Germany. Their technologies are called SLM (Selective Laser Melting - selective laser fusion) or DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering - direct metal laser sintering).

Metal 3D printing process #2:

Binder Jetting