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Lowest cost metal 3d printer
Metal 3D Printer Cost – Top 5 Metal Printer Reviews| Buyer's Guide (2021)
Metal 3D printing refers to the selective laser melting and direct metal laser sintering. These processes use metal powders to produce complex and one-piece metal parts.
Are you interested in metal 3D printing? Looking for the best metal 3D printer that fits your budget, space and experience level?
If you are, then this page is for you! We have everything you need about this technology. Whether you’re a newbie or are already knowledgeable and are looking for your first metal 3D printer, we’re here to help.
By the end of this article, you should understand the metal additive manufacturing or printing process using stainless steel, what it does and what’s the best machine for you because we also include the best metal 3D printers for sale!
Contents
- 1 What is Metal 3D Printing
- 2 3D Printer that Prints Metal
- 2.
1 Best Industrial 3D Printer Metal
- 2.1.1 #1 HP Metal Jet Review
- 2.2 #2 EOS M 100 Review
- 2.3 Desktop Metal 3D Printer
- 2.3.1 #3 Markforged Metal X Review
- 2.4 #4 Desktop Metal Studio Review
- 2.5 Cheapest Metal 3D Printer
- 2.5.1 #5 Airwolf 3D EVO Additive Manufacturing Review
- 2.
- 3 Metal 3D Printer Cost
- 4 Metal 3D Printing Service
- 5 Metal 3D Printing Materials
- 6 Conclusion
This additive manufacturing printing process covers the basic principles of SLM (Selective Laser Melting) and DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering). Both processes use metals in granular form.
The only difference between the two comes down to the fundamentals of the particle bonding process.
SLM printing process uses metal powders with a single melting temperature and fully melts the particle while
Meanwhile, in DMLS or direct metal laser sintering, the powder is composed of materials with variable melting points that fuse on a molecular level at elevated temperatures.
Both SML and DMLS are used in industrial applications to create end-user engineering products. In some cases, they are collectively referred to as metal 3D printing.
Metal Additive Manufacturing is a printing process also known as metal 3D printing. This technology offers unrivaled design freedom with the ability to manufacture parts from a wide range of materials.
A number of components that were impossible to create a few years ago can be made to high standards using 3D printing metal powder.
Additive manufacturing or 3D printing allows you to create a three-dimensional part layer by layer from a polymer or metal-based material.
Traditionally, metal and plastic objects can be a wasteful process. For instance, when aircraft manufacture metal parts, the majority of the material up to 90% is cut away.
With metal additive manufacturing printing process, this can be done with lesser energy and waste. 3D printed metals are 60% lighter than their machined counterparts.
The aviation industry saves billions of dollars through this weight reduction due to fuel.
Unfortunately, metal 3D printers are very expensive. But this offers a lot of benefits from the traditional metal manufacturing processes.
How Does Metal 3D Printing Process Work?
Metal Additive Manufacturing works in the following process.
The build plate chamber is filled with inert gas to minimize the oxidation of the metal powder. It is then heated to the optimal build temperature.
A thin layer of metal powder is spread over the build plate platform and a high power laser scans the cross-section of the component, melting (for fusing) the metal particles together and creating the next layer. The entire area of the model is scanned so the part is built fully solid.
When the scanning process is complete, the build platform moves downwards by one layer thickness and the recoater spreads another thin layer of metal powder. The process is repeated until the whole part is complete.
To achieve the necessary specifications or improve the properties of surface quality, geometrical accuracy and mechanical properties, a post-process is necessary. Thus, you have to add metal-machining finishes to meet the requirements of surface quality and geometry.
Following the removal of support structures to separate the parts from the building platform, you can mill, drill or polish. For instance, internal surfaces such as those in internal or tempering channels can be polished using abrasive flow machining.
Here are the other ways to improve the surface quality of your 3D printed metal during the additive manufacturing process.
Heat treatment. This is used to improve the mechanical and tactile properties of the surface.
Electropolishing. This electrochemical treatment significantly improves the surface finish of metal 3D printing. This is used to minimize microroughness and reduce the risk of dirt or product residues.
This also improves the cleanability of the surfaces.
This is also used for deburring, brightening and passivating for surfaces exposed to abrasive media. This process doesn’t involve mechanical, thermal or chemical impact. This can also be used to treat small and mechanically fragile parts.
3D Printer that Prints MetalThere are a number of 3D printers for metal in the market today and pretty sure, you have reached this part because you are looking for one. We won’t disappoint you because below you will find the top all-metal 3D printers that will surely suit your requirements in different categories.
Best Industrial 3D Printer MetalThose in the 3D printing industry should rejoice because a new machine is here to boost your business. A 3D printer that uses metal is now available to help you print metal parts quickly and conveniently with lesser waste and at a reduced price.
Here’s our top pick industrial metal 3D printer for additive manufacturing.
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HP is popular in the printing world, but they take their game at a higher level when they joined the market for metal 3D printing by producing a first-rate metal 3D printer in the form of HP Metal Jet.
What I love most about this all-metal 3D printer is its usability. This 3D printer is designed to propel your business with its most advanced metal 3D printers for mass production. It can produce high volumes of parts and large parts at a lower cost.
It can also accelerate product development cycles with multiple iterations in just days. It produces parts faster, in fewer steps with no debinding required and eliminates tooling.
Most importantly it can manufacture complex metal injection molding (MIM) parts with reduced cost. HP Metal Jet technology is a great innovative medical device and a viable 3D technology for the industrial-scale production of metal parts.
It’s huge, so you need to have enough space to store it.
This 3D metal printer delivers extreme performance, high quality and consistent reliability which is just worth it considering its hefty price.
Personally, I find this 3D printer expensive. This is priced at $399,000. So, basically this is not for home use but it’s great if you are in the industry and is planning to use this for business.
Considering the things that this can do and the quality that it was built, you will not regret choosing this. I highly recommend this especially for those in the 3D printing business.
Specifications
- Bed Size: 430 x 320 x 200 mm
- Price: $399,000
- Layer Height: 50 – 100 microns
- Resolution: 1200 x 1200 dpi
- Industry: Best for Aerospace, Automotive, Consumer products and medical
- Materials: Stainless Steel (17-4 PH and 316L)
- Product dimension: 2178 x 1238 x 1448 mm
Pros
- Works fast
- Up to 50x more productive
- Low-cost, high-quality final parts
- Best in class price-productivity
- Finished parts with isotropic properties that exceed ASTM and MPIF standards
- High reusability of materials that reduces material cost and decrease waste
- Density after sintering is greater than 93%
Cons
- Expensive
- Cabinet-size so you need enough space to store this
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#2 EOS M 100 Revieweos metal printer
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EOS 100 is from a German manufacturer and was designed for entry-level industrial metal 3D printing without you breaking the bank.
This is only among the few metal 3D printers that you can purchase below $250,000.
This commercial metal 3D printer is another affordable machine. This is manufactured by a company based in Frankfurt, Germany. This machine was introduced in 2015. This works using the Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS).
I’m impressed with its built and size. EOS M 100 has a small build size with a maximum of 100 × 100 × 95 mm only. However, it can build items with complex geometries out of several different metals including EOS CobaltChrome SP2, EOS Stainless Steel 316L, EOS Titanium Ti64.
Despite its small build volume, its performance is impressive. It can produce approximately 70 dental crown and bridges in three hours. Yes, EOS M 100 is that fast. This is designed to be cost-efficient for small quantities of production.
In addition, it features a 200 Watt fiber laser with beam quality and performance stability for optimum and consistent processing conditions that make the parts reproducible.
It has a smaller laser spot with excellent detail resolution too to produce high quality, highly complex and delicate components.
The system also works smartly with its build space, efficient recoating and exposure strategy that reduces the non-productive periods and contributes to the efficient production of smaller quantities, instead.
As for its design, it has a modular interior structure. You can quickly dismantle or set it up. The materials can also be replaced easily and maintenance is a breeze. You can perform it quickly.
For your safety, this is designed with a closed frame. However, it may take time until you’ll get comfortable using this. This doesn’t include automatic calibration, heated print bed, or an LCD screen. But it has 3D scanners and touchscreen for easier operation.
As for connectivity, this is only limited to Ethernet. Most machines allow you to print using UBS, SD card, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. When it comes to this matter, EOS M 100 is a bit behind.
Despite the things it lacks, I still love this metal 3D printer, from its size, price, performance and quality of output. I am also satisfied with its price.
Specifications
- Max Build Size: 100 × 100 × 95 mm
- Focus diameter: 40 µm
- Price: $ 100,000 – $ 250,000
- Technology: Powder (SLS, SLM…)
- Dimension: 800 × 950 × 2250 mm
- Weight: 580 kg
Pros
- Closed frame for safety
- Touchscreen for easier operation
- 3D scanners
- Ethernet for connectivity
- Fits in your office room
- Easy to set up
- Tried and tested quality
Cons
- Limited connectivity. Only allows ethernet
- Doesn’t have automatic calibration
- Sing extruder
- No LCD screen
- No mobile app available yet
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Desktop Metal 3D PrinterIf you need a 3D metal printing machine that fits your workspace then desktop metal 3D printer is for you.
In this section, we are about to give you the top metal 3D printers in this category.
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Markforged experienced an unparalleled success after releasing its first marquee product, Markforged Mark One. The brand went on and venture in producing metal printing 3D printers in the form of Metal X.
The first thing I noticed in this brand is that it’s a lot cheaper than HP Jet Metal by about $300,000. So, if your budget is short and you can’t afford HP’s metal 3D printer then this is a more affordable option.
Although this is cheaper, you should not underestimate Markforged Metal X in terms of performance. This is equipped with a new innovative process to create parts made with the machine using its own technology Atomic Diffusion Additive Manufacturing (ADAM).
ADAM involves the process of using a bound metal powder rod embedded inside a plastic filament. Similar to other 3D printing processes, the part is built up layer by layer except with compensations made for shrinkage.
I’m personally impressed with ADAM technology because it allows for closed-cell structures. Prior to this, you need an escape hole for the unused powder but with Metal X, the powder just burns away. Thanks to this, you can create complex enclosed internal structures to create light parts without sacrificing its strength.
In Markforged Metal X, the object goes through three stages. The final stage, Sinter-1, makes the object 99 percent dense and on par with high-end DMLS machines. Although you produce quality output with these three steps, you still need extensive-post processing to see the best results.
What I love about this is that it can process various metal powders including Stainless Steel 17-4 and 303, Aluminum (Beta) 6061 and 7075, Tool Steel (Beta) A-2 and D-2, IN Alloy (Inconel) 625 (Beta), and Titanium Ti-6Al-4V (Beta). It is also equipped with a versatile proprietary cloud-based software called Eiger.
Perhaps, if there’s something that this 3D printer lacks it is poor connectivity.
It has no USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, SD card or ethernet.
Despite this, Markforged Metal X remains a good machine if you want to start printing with metal powders like stainless steel.
Specifications
- Build Volume: 300 x 220 x 180 mm
- Max Part Weight: 10kg
- Resolution: 50 micron – 200 micron
- Connectivity: Ethernet or Wi-Fi
- Print Engine: Atomic Diffusion Additive Manufacturing (ADAM)
- Print Bed: Heated, Vacuum Sealed Print Sheet, Auto Bed Leveling
- Print Preparation: Eiger Software
- File type: STL
- Weight: 75kg
Pros
- More affordable than other 3D printers
- ADAM technology
- Has its own proprietary cloud-based software (Eiger)
- Can process several metal powder
- Operates in three processes
Cons
- You still need to do extensive post-processing
- Poor connectivity
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#4 Desktop Metal Studio Review
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Desktop Metal Studio 3D printer is the first office-friendly metal 3D printing solution.
This will be a great addition to your devices in the office especially if you want to join metal 3D printing.
This metal 3D printing machine operates differently than the laser-based system that selectively melts metal powder. Instead, this extrudes bound metal rods similar to how FDM printer works which eliminates the safety requirements often associated with metal 3D printing.
Don’t worry about any risks because this is designed to be safe in the first place. It comes with a closed-cell infill for lightweight strength. Thanks to this, you can move this conveniently when needed.
One of the best things about this machine is its price because this is much cheaper than most brands. At $120,000 Desktop Metal Studio System offers metal additive manufacturing (AM) at a fracture of the size and cost of typical industrial metal 3D printers. If you will only get the metal 3D printer, then it will only cost you $60,000.
This machine uses Desktop Metal’s patented Bound Metal Deposition (BMD) method which is similar to Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) technology.
BMD takes rods made of powdered metals bound in a polymer binder then extrudes it layer by layer. To prevent metal supports from bonding to metal parts, MBD employs a second extruder to deposit ceramic interface media between the two.
However, if you want to see the best results, you should get the entire Studio System. The system is a three-part solution that automates metal 3D printing. Aside from the 3D printer, it has a debinder that prepares green parts for sintering that doesn’t require external ventilation and is safe for an office environment. So, you don’t have to worry about your space. It also includes a fully-automated furnace with built-in temperature for uniform heating and cooling.
The good thing is that getting it doesn’t cost as much as the expensive metal 3D printing machines. The three machines can also fit neatly alongside each other. However, you would need a bigger space for this.
Overall, I’m still pleased with Desktop Metal Studio 3D Printer. I love its size, the quality of prints and of course, the price.
And I tell you even if you purchase the entire Studio system, it won’t cost you as much as HP Metal Jet, so yes it is affordable.
Specifications
-
- Build envelope: 30 x 20 x 20 cm (12 x 8 x 8 in)
- Max build rate: 16 cm³/hr (1 in³/hr)
- Print Engine: Bound Metal Deposition (BMD)
- Build Volume: 289 x 189 x 195 mm
- Printer Size: 948 x 823 x 529 mm
- Print System: Dual extrusion
- Resolution: 50 microns, 100-220 microns
- Connectivity: Ethernet or Wi-Fi
- Materials: 17-4 PH, AISI 4140, h23, 316 L, Copper, Inconel 625
Pros
- Fits in your desktop
- Affordable compared to other brands
- Bound Metal Deposition (BMD) method
- Heated print bed
- Automatic calibration
- Closed frame
- Touchscreen
- WiFi
- Ethernet
- Produces high-quality parts
Cons
- The whole system can be costly
- The whole system can take space
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Cheapest Metal 3D PrinterIt’s difficult to find an affordable metal 3D printer, as this type of machine tends to be so costly.
But, don’t be in despair because there are always brands who consider their buyers and would love many to afford their products.
I’m pleased to share with you one of the low cost metal 3D printers in the market — Airwolf 3D Evo Additive!
#5 Airwolf 3D EVO Additive Manufacturing Review
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Airwolf 3D EVO Additive Manufacturing Center is designed to be a professional desktop metal 3D printer. But aside from the size, it’s one of the few cheap 3D printers you will ever find in the market, so we put this machine in this category.
Airwolf is more affordable than its competitors. In fact, it’s way cheaper as this costs less than $10, 000. You can hardly find a metal 3D printer at this price. But mind you, you should not underestimate this because it is not inferior. Its capabilities are not limited. In fact, it’s as competitive as the other more expensive brands.
This metal 3D printer is fast, strong and accurate than most desktop metal 3D printers.
In addition, it is safe to use because it is equipped with a closed frame and heated interior with air cleansing system to reduce UFP/VOC emissions.
This low-cost metal 3D printer has what it takes to help you build metal parts. It has a 7-inch touchscreen for more intuitive user experience and dual extrusion for faster operation. Thanks to this, you can print two materials simultaneously.
For a more enjoyable and convenient 3D printing experience, this printer is programmed to be smart. It has a PartSave/FailSafe functionalities that enable the EVO to go back to 3D printing where it left off in case of a power or filament outage. With this, you’ll have peace of mind that your project won’t just be lost in case of unexpected power failure.
This metal 3D printer is also versatile for its price. It can process PLA, ABS, other plastics and of course, metal!
For those desperate to try metal 3D printing but has a limited budget, I highly recommend this because it’s cheaper and it works!
Specifications
- Build size: 305 × 305 × 280 mm
- Build volume: 26.
05 L - Max print speed: 250 mm/s
- Dimension: 1016 × 762 × 737 mm
- Connectivity: USB
- Technology: Extrusion (FFF, FDM)
- Price: $7,995
Pros
- Heated print bed
- Automatic calibration
- Dual extruder
- Closed frame
- Touchscreen
- 24/7 customer support
- Multi-material compatibility
Cons
- Slow print speed compared to other brands
- Still somewhat feels like “beta”
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Metal 3D Printer CostHow much does a metal 3D printer cost? 3D metal printer price varies. There are cheap and there are expensive ones depending on the features it offers.
In most cases, this depends on what the machine offers. More advanced metal home 3D printers tend to cost more. Also, industrial types are more costly than desktop metal 3D printers.
An industrial 3D metal printing machine cost over $100,000.
Meanwhile, desktop 3D metal printing machine price tends to be cheaper. You can buy one below $100,000.
Based on the 3D metal printer price list, the cheapest one here is Metal X.
In general, metal 3D printers come in different packages. So, if you are planning to buy a 3D metal printer, you will definitely one that suits your requirements and budget.
Metal 3D Printing ServiceIf you find 3D printing metal price to be too costly but still wish to print 3D metals from time to time, don’t worry, there are 3D metal printing companies that offer metal 3D printing services. You can send them your project and just pay them to get it done.
Here are some businesses that offer metal printing services.
Stratasys Direct Manufacturing
You can conveniently send them your project online. They offer a quote so you will know how much you will pay ahead.
The company made ordering simple with its pick delivery-based pricing, pay with its simplified online options and access its HELP ME CHOOSE feature for automated suggestions for the right materials and technologies for your application.
You can opt for a Quick Print that offers the fastest delivery or lowest price or Stay Classic with post-processing and quality control.
Shapeways
This is another 3D printing marketplace and service company that offers industrial 3D printing service scaled to fit your business. They actually process projects using different materials from strong plastics to polished metals.
The company has produced over a million products yearly from manufacturing to finished goods. You can also save money because they offer competitive pricing and have no minimums.
If you are interested, you can get in touch with their sales team to get a quote for your project. Just fill up a form and they will get back to you as soon as they can.
3D Hubs
This site has a large network of manufacturing Hubs. The service is connected to over 140 countries. It has a wide range of 3D printing metals with applications in multiple industries.
The parts are manufactured using the SLM/DMLS or Binder Jetting printing processes.
You can request for a metal 3D printing service in the site in three easy steps. First, upload your designs. Second, specify your requirements (turnaround times, prices, materials, etc.). Third, receive the quality parts.
Metal 3D Printing MaterialsMetal 3D printing is used to produce complex and one-piece metal parts with geometries that are impossible to machine. This technology is an ideal technical solution for complex metal parts.
While most 3D printers use filaments, metal 3D printers use different materials – 3D printing metal powder!
Here’s a full range of 3D printer metal powder for sale for metal additive manufacturing that combines both DMLS and EBM (electro beam) technologies.
Iconel. It has mechanical characteristics that enable the production of parts for aeronautics.
This material has impressive mechanical and cryogenic properties. This is also great for high-temperature applications, instrumentation parts, process industry parts and more.
Advantages
- Very good mechanical properties
- Excellent cryogenic properties
- Great for high-temperature and cryogenic applications
- Possible post-treatment
Steel (316L or 1.4404). There are several types of stainless steel including type Ph2 or 316L or maraging steel type MS1. You can create your functional prototypes for aeronautical and medical sectors. On the other hand, maraging steel is tooling steel that can reach 55 HRC after heat treatment.
Advantages
- Excellent strength
- High ductility
- Good thermal properties
- Highly corrosion-resistant
Titanium (TiAl6V4). This features excellent mechanical properties that make it a sought-after material in the aeronautical industry.
This is compatible and well-adapted in the medical sector especially for implants
Advantages
- Excellent mechanical properties with a low specific weight
- Corrosion-resistant
Chrome/Cobalt. This offers numerous advantages and is particularly adapted to functional prototypes. You can use this metal 3D printing material to produce small series, personalized products or even spare parts using this technical material. The CRC2 grade is also used to create dental prostheses. It is also popular in aerospace and motorsports.
Advantages
- Excellent strength
- Outstanding corrosion
- Wear and temperature resistance
Aluminum (AlSi10Mg). This material is an excellent alternative to casting. This is used to create parts with fine walls and complex geometry. This material offers good strength and hardness due to the combination of silica and magnesium.
Advantages:
- Good strength and thermal properties with low weight
- Flexible post-processing possibilities
Metal 3D printers are an asset to every business.
It can help speed up the process and make you more productive. It’s not just for everyone because they are more expensive compared to regular 3D printers.
However, don’t be in despair as there are also cheap metal 3D printers on the market. Those machines aren’t as advanced as the expensive ones but it has the basic things that you need to produce metal parts.
If you are in need of a metal 3D printer, whether you’re looking for a desktop machine, a powerful or expensive one, start with our recommendations above. If you think that you can’t afford to buy metal 3D printers then you can get a direct metal 3D printing service to get your metal parts done.
If you want to know more about 3D printing, feel free to check out homepage.
References
www.machinedesign.com/3d-printing/what-s-difference-between-metal-3d-printing-processes www.praxairsurfacetechnologies.com/en/components-materials-and-equipment/materials/additive-manufacturing-powders www.
metal-am.com/introduction-to-metal-additive-manufacturing-and-3d-printing/metal-additive-manufacturing-processes www.metal-am.com/introduction-to-metal-additive-manufacturing-and-3d-printing/metal-powders-the-raw-materials www.initial.fr/en/materials/metal
www.3dprinting.com/metal/types-of-metal-3d-printing www.all3dp.com/1/3d-metal-3d-printer-metal-3d-printing www.hp.com/us/en/printers/3d-printers/metals.html www.3dprinting.com/metal/small-metal-3d-printers www.hp.com/h30195/v2/GetPDF.aspx/4AA7-3333EEW.pdf www.aniwaa.com/product/3d-printers/airwolf-3d-evo total3dprinting.org/airwolf-3d-printer-review-does-the-airwolf-have-the-chops www.desktopmetal.com/products/studio/#whats-new www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_jcYga95aY
Desktop Metal Studio 3D Printer
DESKTOP METAL
STUDIO SYSTEM 2™An End-to-End Solution to 3D Print Complex Metal Parts In-House Introducing the new Desktop Metal Studio 2 for metal 3D printing.
The first end-to-end affordable solution for 3D printing complex metal parts in-house in a variety of metal alloys including stainless steel, copper and tool steels.
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- Overview
- Key Features
- Advantages
- How it Works
- Materials
- Applications
- Request a Quote
Accessible Metal 3D Printing
The Studio System 2 from Desktop Metal was created to enable engineers and design teams to produce complex metal parts faster, more accurately, and in a safe operating environment without the need for special facilities or dedicated operators. Just print and sinter; A two-step process that doesn’t require solvent debinder or tooling as in the case of MIM (metal injection molding).
Explore the Desktop Metal Studio by watching the video
Sophisticated Software
Powerful software creates build and sinter plans for every project and material. Automative supports and control parameters ensure a seamless 3D printing experience.
Maximize Productivity
3D print up to 24 cubic inches per day in a wide variety of metal materials. Maximum resolution for the printer is 50 μm
Built to Perform
The motion control system was built with encoded balls screws instead of belts, and combined with auto leveling and a heated build area you get excellent geometric fidelity and build success rates.
Affordable
Safe & Simple
Separable Supports
Precise, High-Quality Parts
Make Metal Work Faster
No more waiting for machined or cast parts.
Iterate faster by printing highly complex metal parts–without leaving the office.
REQUEST INFO
How It WorksA metal 3D printing process in 3 easy-to-manage steps
Step 1 – Prepare your files
Secure, web-based software fabricates from STL or CAD files, automatically generating supports and control parameters based on part geometry and material.
Step 2 – 3D Print
Layer by layer, a green part is shaped by extruding bound metal rods—metal powder held together by polymer binders—in a process called Bound Metal Deposition™.
Step 3 – Sinter
Once printed, parts are placed in the furnace. As the part is heated to temperatures near melting, the binder is removed and metal particles fuse together causing the part to densify up to 98%.
Introducing the new, swappable 250μm printhead that includes supporting software profiles. This enables new geometries and applications, resulting in achieving smaller parts and fine features with an improved surface.
There are camera’s everywhere, so why not put one in the in-chamber build plate? This camera captures live footage of the part as it prints, and is accessible in your web browser. Users now have complete insight of their part, and have the ability to monitor print success.
Stackable shelving is a new feature that increases part capacity of the debinder and furnace, giving greater throughput. Increased workload volume addresses bottlenecks typical at the debind sinter stages.
To achieve high quality parts, a new retort box design has been added to support thermal uniformity.
Eliminate some cost of consumables and achieve lower cost-per-part with external gas connections.
Studio Fleet is a custom and configurable metal 3D printing hardware solution for producing complex metal parts in low-mid volume.
MaterialsThe metallurgy behind the Studio System™ is built upon the material science and established powder supply chain of the metal injection molding (MIM) industry.
When combined with Desktop Metal’s expansive in-house expertise in material processing, binder compounds, and metal 3D printing, the result is high-quality metal parts with affordable material costs.
17-4 PH Stainless Steel
| Studio System 2
Material: 17-4 PH Stainless Steel
17-4 Stainless Steel is a precipitation hardening steel used in a wide range of industrial applications including those with mildly corrosive environments and high-strength requirements.
Specs- XY axis
- As sintered:
- Yield Strength: 695 MPa
- Ultimate Tensile Strength: 925 MPa
- Elongation at Break: 5.3%
- Hardness (HRC): 26
- Density (g/cc): 7.56
- As sintered:
- Manufacturing machinery
- Chemical processing
- Food processing
- Pump components
- Valving
- Fasteners
- Jigs and fixtures
- Bound Metal Deposition™
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316L Stainless Steel
| Studio System 2
Material: 316L Stainless Steel
Characterized by its corrosion resistance and performance at both high and low temperatures, 316L stainless steel is a fully austenitic steel ideal for harsh environments.
- Sintered:
- Ultimate Tensile Strength: 533 MPa
- Yield Strength: 169 MPa
- Elongation: 66%
- Hardness (HRB): 66
- Density (relative): 97%
- Chemical and petrochemical processing
- Food processing
- Laboratory equipment
- Medical devices
- Marine
- Jewelry
- Power generation
- Petroleum refining
- Water treatment
- Pulp and paper manufacturing
- Bound Metal Deposition™
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h23 | Studio System 2
Material: h23 Tool Steel
h23 tool steel is hot work steel with great hot hardness, resistance to thermal fatigue cracking, and stability in heat treatment. This makes it an ideal metal for both hot and cold work tooling applications.
Specs- Yield Strength:
- Sintered: 650 MPa
- Heat-treated: 1250 MPa
- Wrought, heat-treated: 1525
- Ultimate Tensile Strength:
- Sintered: 1325 MPa
- Heat-treated: 1720 MPa
- Wrought, heat-treated: 1950 MPa
- Elongation at Break:
- Sintered: 2.
3% - Heat-treated: 5.8%
- Wrought, heat-treated: 9%
- Sintered: 2.
- Hardness:
- Sintered: 35
- Heat-treated: 45
- Wrought, heat-treated: 54
- Density:
- Sintered: ≥93.5%
- Wrought, heat-treated: 100%
- Extrusion dies
- Injection molds
- Hot forging dies
- Die casting cores, inserts and cavities
- Bound Metal Deposition™
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4140 Chromoly Steel
| Studio System 2
Material: 4140 Chromoly Steel
One of the most versatile steels, 4140 steel is characterized by its toughness, high fatigue strength, and abrasion and impact resistance.
Specs- Yield Strength:
- Heat Treated: 1060 MPa
- Wrought (heat-treated): 1500 MPa
- Ultimate Tensile Strength:
- Heat Treated: 1450 MPa
- Wrought (heat-treated): 1990 MPa
- Elongation at Break:
- HeatTreated: 5.
5% - Wrought (heat-treated): 10%
- HeatTreated: 5.
- Hardness (HRC):
- Heat Treated: 40
- Wrought (heat-treated): 52
- Density:
- Heat Treated: 95%
- Wrought (heat-treated): 100%
All-purpose steel industrial applications such as:
- Jigs and fixtures
- Automotive
- Bolts/Nuts
- Gears
- Steel couplings
- Bound Metal Deposition™
Learn More
Copper | Studio System 2
Material: Copper
Copper is characterized by its electrical and thermal conductivity and ductility, and it is ideal for electrical equipment, plumbing, and heat transfer applications.
Specs- Sintered:
- Ultimate Tensile Strength: 195 MPa
- Yield Strength: 45 MPa
- Elongation: 37%
- Density (g/cc): 8.75
- Consumer and industrial electronics
- Heat exchangers
- Antennas
- Inductors
- Bound Metal Deposition™
Learn More
Ti64 | Studio System 2
Material: Titanium Alloy
Ti64 is an alloy of titanium, aluminum, and vanadium with a high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance.
- Ultimate Tensile Strength:
- Sintered: 845 MPa
- Yield Strength:
- Sintered: 730 MPa
- Elongation:
- Sintered: 17%
- Density (Relative): 97.5%
A wide variety of high-performance applications such as:
- Specialty automotive components, including connecting rods and gearboxes for racing
- Prototyping of medical devices, including tweezers, forceps, clamps, suture instruments and more
- Consumer goods, including sporting goods and jewelry
- Bound Metal Deposition™
Learn More
Inconel 625 | Studio System 2
Material: Nickel Alloy IN 625
Inconel 625 (IN625) is a high nickel super alloy ideal for harsh environments in or out of water, characterized by its excellent strength, heat & corrosion resistance.
SpecsMechanical Properties [as sintered]:
- Ultimate tensile strength (Xy): 725 MPa
- Yield strength (Xy): 303 MPa
- Elongation at Break: 34%
- Hardness (HRB): 83.
5 - Young’s Modulus: 199 GPa
- Density: 8.2 g/cc
- Defense
- Aerospace
- Chemical
- Nuclear
- Bound Metal Deposition
Learn More
D2 Tool Steel | Studio System
Material: Corrosion Resistance Tool Steel
D2 tool steel is a versatile material that provides tooling grade strength while also offering corrosion resistance, a key benefit for conformally cooled applications.
SpecsMechanical Properties (After Quench & Temper):
- Transverse Rupture Strength (GPa): 3.1, ASTM B528
- Hardness (HRC): 56.5, ASTM E18
- Density: 7.5 g/cm³
Application
- Cutting components
- Conformally cooled injection molding inserts and cavities
- Cold forming tooling components
Learn More
Superior Properties
Similar to metal injection molding (MIM), the Desktop Metal Studio System leverages bulk sintering to achieve densities greater than 98%.
Part performance is similar to wrought alloys and it is possible to tune part density with closed-cell infill.
Materials Available
17-4 PH Stainless
316L Stainless
h23 Tool Steel
4140 Chrome Moly
Copper
Inconel 625 Superalloy
Kovar F-15
Additional Materials: By enabling the use of metal powders from the MIM industry, our systems have access to a wide range of existing materials—from steels and aluminum to superalloys and titanium.
Near-Net-Shape Parts
The Desktop Metal Studio system produces near-net-shape metal parts with the accuracy and layer resolution needed for functional prototyping and a variety of other applications. A seamless 3D printing experience, from printing through to sintering, is created with powerful software and automatic support generation.
Tight Tolerances
± .002 in/in (geometry dependent)
Remove Supports by Hand
The Desktop Metal Studio system does not require any wire EDM or machining to remove support structures.
Proprietary separable supports make it possible to remove support by hand because it is no bonded to the part. As a result, highly complex parts and print-in-place assemblies can be easily printed and put to use.
Bring Affordable Metal 3D Printing In-House
SEE COMPATIBLE ALLOYS
The HardwareThe Desktop Metal team designed the Studio 3D Printer to be the most accessible metal 3D printing solution to date.
With powerful web-based software, hand-removable support material, and fast material changes the
Studio System was designed from the ground up for seamless integration into your product development workflow.
The Studio Desktop Metal 3D printer extrudes bound metal rods similar to a plastic FDM system. Unlike laser-based DMLS 3D printers that selectively bond metal powders the Studio system does not require any special safety or facility requirements and creates the opportunity to produce closed-cell infill for lightweight structures as well as work with a wider range of metal alloys.
| Build Volume | 300 x 200 x 200 mm (12 x 8 x 8 in) |
| Build Chamber | Heated |
| Extruder Assembly | Dual quick-release print heads |
| Layer height (in green state) |
|
| Nozzle diameter (Build media) |
|
Download Spec Sheet
The Furnace
The Studio System 2 furnace is designed to be the easiest to use furnace ever made. It first heats parts to remove all binders, then increases the temperature to near-melting point to deliver industrial-strength sintering in an office-friendly package. Built-in temperature profiles tuned to every build and material ensure uniform heating and cooling without the residual stresses introduced in laser-based systems.
| Atmosphere | Partial-pressure sintering (vacuum-enabled) |
| Heating | SiC heating elements (4 sides) |
| Max Temperature | 1400 °C (2552 °F) |
| Workload surface area | 3,000 cm2 (465 in |
| Workload envelope | 300 x 200 x 170 mm (11.8 x 7.9 x 6.9 in) |
Download Spec Sheet
Software-Controlled Workflow
The Desktop Metal Studio system was designed as a complete workflow, with no third party equipment required. Every stage of the 3D printing process is fully automated and managed by software, making it simple to go from CAD to metal part.
Quick Material Changes
Compared to laser based systems, where material changes can pose safety risks and can take a week or more, the Studio 3D printer was designed to have swappable, safe-to-handle material catridges and quick release print heads.
Office-Friendly Sintering
A first of its kind, the sintering furnace has swappable aluminum gas canisters and optional hook ups for simple to manage gas. Built-in effluent filters, binder cold traps, safety fail safes, and detection systems make this system safe to use on the shop floor.
Expert Metallurgy Built-In
The Desktop Metal sintering oven combines unique materials profiles with part data to construct sintering plans for every part. With closed loop thermal control, real-time heating regulation throughout the sintering cycle is enabled ensuring every part is uniformly heated and cooled.
Low Volume Production with
Studio Fleet
LEARN MORE
Stainless steel, copper, and tool steels are some of the many critical allows the Studio System brings to 3D printing. Every alloy goes through meticulous qualification by world-leading materials scientists, and our core materials consistently meet or exceed industry standards.
17-4 PH Material datasheet
| 17-4 PH Stainless steel for strength and corrosion resistance | AISI 4140 low alloy, mid-carbon steel for high strength and toughness | h23 tool steel for hardness and abrasion resistance at elevated temperatures |
| 316L Stainless steel for corrosion resistance at high temps | Copper for thermal and electrical conductivity | Inconel 625 superalloy for strength and corrosion resistance at high temperatures |
Easy two-step process
Printed parts are placed directly in the furnace. No need for a solvent debind, just print and sinter.
Safety First
Odor-free and environmentally safe due to no solvent debind phase. No need for additional ventilators or respirators. Studio System 2 allows users to get the system up and running in no time.
High Quality Parts
Difficult geometry (which requires tall, thin, complex supports) is now possible thanks to new material formulations and print/sinter profiles.
Software Controlled Workflow
No metallurgist or machinist experience is required with an automated print to sinter workflow powered by Fabricate software
ApplicationsMachine Bracket
Jigs & Fixtures Titanium 64 (Ti64) Alloy
This machine bracket has been designed by using a gyroid lattice infill and titanium in place of 17-4PH stainless steel in order to reduce weight and material while maintaining the required functional strength and stiffness.
Full DescriptionIt would be impossible to produce this part’s geometry using conventional manufacturing processes due to its complexity. Moreover, 3D printing this new design on the Studio System 2 in Ti64 leads to reducing the part’s weight by 59 percent.
Ti64 for Studio System 2 produces lightweight 3D printed parts due to its high strength-to-weight ratio, thus becoming ideal for countless applications from key industries such as aerospace and defence, automotive, oil and gas, and medical.
- Estimated saving in part weight: 55-60%
- Bound Metal Deposition (BMD)™
Flower Nozzle
Industrial Equipment 316L Stainless Steel
This flower nozzle was 3D printed with Desktop Metal Studio System 2™ and it is used to atomize fluid in industrial equipment.
Full DescriptionDue to the complex geometry, this type of part would typically be cast followed by extensive secondary machining. With the Studio System 2™, the nozzle can be 3D printed without the lead times and setup costs of casting, enabling one-off and small-batch orders.
Specs- Size (mm): 123 x 123 x 45
- Cost to print ($): 184.00
Bound Metal Deposition™
Lathe Gear
Industrial Equipment 17-4 PH Stainless Steel
This part is a replacement gear for a vintage lathe. Metal 3D printing allows for the fabrication of legacy parts at a much lower cost.
In some cases, replacement parts are no longer available, either off the shelf or from the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). Fabricating custom gears via hobbing and broaching is often expensive. With metal 3D printing, the manufacturing of such parts is possible at lower costs and reduced lead times.
Specs- Size (mm): 82 x 82 x 27
- Cost to print ($): 58.00
- Cost to machine ($): 260.67
- Savings vs. machining: 77.70%
Bound Metal Deposition™
APG Thread Checker Fixture
17-4 PH Stainless Steel (Studio System)
This fixture pushes a thread checker into a part on a manufacturing line. It stands for repeated use and must be easily produced to keep the manufacturing line up.
Full DescriptionThe 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: $14.00
- Bound Metal Deposition™
Tri Manifold
Manufacturing Alloy 625
This part converges three flow paths into one via internal channels. These channels would be impossible to machine and instead would need to be drilled as straight holes and plugged.
Full DescriptionPrinting on the Studio System allows these channels to be designed for their function rather than their manufacturing method. This part can be produced in just a few days with very little hands-on work.
Specs- Size (mm): 108 x 101 x 98
- Cost to print: ($) 906.00
- Cost to DMLS ($): 4069.28
- Savings vs. machining: 77.74%
Bound Metal Deposition™
Generative Piston Head
Generative Design, Prototyping 4140
Prototype piston head for a reciprocating engine, optimized with generative design.
Typically CNC machined from aluminum alloy, pistons can be time-consuming and difficult to rapidly prototype and test.
It often takes months or even years to move from design to production. With the Studio System, various piston designs can be easily prototyped and tested—speeding up product development timelines, reducing time to market, and introducing new opportunities for optimization, including generative design—all while avoiding CNC backlog and lead times.
Specs- Size (mm): 105 x 105 x 54
- Cost to print ($): 271.00
- Cost to machine ($): 568.13
- Savings vs. machining: 52.30%
Bound Metal Deposition™
YE6 Burner Tip
Tooling and Machinery 316L Stainless Steel
This burner tip was originally cast in the 1950s. With the Studio System, the company was able to recreate the part with properties similar to the original cast part, with no tooling cost or long lead times.
The quote for new tooling is usually in the tens of thousands of dollars. Thus, Studio System 2, a printer that was designed from the ground up for simple installation and use, allows for significant cost savings, especially when it comes to manufacturing obsolete parts at low costs and without compromising part quality.
Specs- Size (mm): 139 x 139 x 86
- Cost to print ($): 193.46
- Cost to machine: ($) 694.00
- Cost reduction: 72.00%
Bound Metal Deposition™
Helical Heat Exchanger
Manufacturing Copper
This heat exchanger enables a much higher heat transfer rate than a traditionally manufactured part. Used in chemical processing to cool a hot gas as it flows through a pipe.
Full DescriptionThe Studio System allows for the complex geometry of the heat exchanger to easily be printed as a single component. It would not be manufacturable as one component via CNC machining due to its thin external fins and a complex, internal helical cooling channel.
- Size (mm): 78 x 64 x 58
- Cost to print ($): 443.00
- Cost to machine ($): 2138.00
- Cost reduction: 79.28%
Bound Metal Deposition™
Zipper Mold
Material: h23 Tool Steel
This part is an injection mold insert for manufacturing zinc zippers.
Full DescriptionThe 3D printing of the mold inserts shortens production run lead time and allows rapid iteration and refinement of zipper designs. Using a high-resolution printhead allows for smaller parts with finer features, requiring less post-processing.
SpecsSize (mm): 46 x 27 x 18
Cost to print ($): 16.00
Bound Metal Deposition (BMD)™
Metal 3D Printing - The Essential Guide
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.
Metal 3D printing has grown in popularity over the past few years. 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 with 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?
Metal 3D printing 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.
ColorFabb, ProtoPasta and TreeD Filaments all 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.
Metallic 3D Printing Filament Spools, in this case from SteelFill and CopperFill colorFabb (Steel and Bronze), Ancient Bronze (Ancient Bronze) from Formfutura
Here are the key points about metal printing at home
- Gets a unique metal surface and look
- Ideal for jewelry, figurines, housewares, replicas
- Durability
- Objects are not flexible (structure dependent)
- Objects do not dissolve
- Not considered food safe
- Typical print temperature: 195 - 220°C
- Extremely low shrinkage on cooling
- No table heating 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 does metal filament for 3D printing cost?
And what about metal filament for 3D printing? - you ask. Here are a few examples:
- ColorFabb's 750 gram Bronzefill spool is $56.36
- ColorFabb 750g Copperfill Coil $56.36
- Protopasta's Polishable Stainless Steel PLA Composite is $56 for 56 grams of
- Protopasta's Rustable Magnetic Iron PLA Composite is $34.99 for 500 grams of
Industrial metal 3D printing
But what if you want a better result 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.
Lowering Metal 3D Printing Costs
If you are not going to start a metal 3D printing business, but still need a professionally 3D printed metal part, it is best 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 they (with subsequent melting) 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 aluminium)
- 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 already using 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 are considered the best option for patients today. 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.
Metal 3D printing.
Technologies
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". formed layer)
The metal 3D printing process used by most relevant large companies 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 No. 2:
Binder Jetting (spraying the binder)
under 3DP technology EXONE Metal objects are printed due : ExOne)
Another professional approach that also uses a powder base is called Binder Jetting. In this case, the layers are formed by gluing metal particles together and then sintering (or fusing) them in a high-temperature furnace, just like it is done with ceramics.
Another option, which is similar to working with ceramics, is mixing metal powder into metal paste. A pneumatically extruded 3D printer (similar to a syringe bioprinter or an inexpensive food printer) forms 3D objects. When the required shape is reached, the object is sent to the furnace, i.e. in the mountains
This approach is used in the Mini Metal Maker, apparently the only inexpensive "metal" 3D printer.
Metal 3D printing process #3: 9Metal Deposition This is not entirely true. Of course, on some desktop device, simply fusing metal threads onto the base will not work. However, very large steel companies can do it. And they do. There are two options for working with "metal surfacing".
One is called DED (Directed Energy Deposition) or Laser Cladding. Here, a laser beam is used to melt the metal powder, which is slowly released and solidifies as a layer, and the powder is fed using a robotic arm.
Normally the whole process takes place in a closed chamber, but the MX3D project used conventional 3D printing techniques to build a full-size bridge. Another option for metal fusion is called EBAM (Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing - additive electron beam technology), which is essentially soldering, in which a very powerful electron beam is used to melt 3 mm titanium wire, and the molten metal forms very large finished structures. As for this technology, its details are known so far only to the military.
Metallic 3D printing. Metals
3D Printing Metal #1: Titanium
Pure titanium (Ti64 or TiAl4V) is one of the most commonly used metals for 3D printing and is definitely one of the most versatile, strong and lightweight. Titanium is used both in the melting process in a preformed layer and in the process of spraying a binder and is used mainly in the medical industry (for the manufacture of personal prostheses), as well as in the aerospace industry, automotive and machine tools (for the manufacture of parts and prototypes). But there is one problem. Titanium is very reactive and explodes easily in powder form. Therefore, it is necessary that titanium 3D printing takes place in a vacuum or in an argon environment.
3D printing metal #2: Stainless steel
Stainless steel is one of the cheapest 3D printing metals. At the same time, it is very durable and can be used in a wide range of manufacturing and even artistic and design applications.
The type of steel alloy used also contains cobalt and nickel, is very difficult to break, and has a very high elasticity. Stainless steel is used almost exclusively in industry.
3D Printing Metal #3: Inconel
Inconel is a superalloy manufactured by Special Metals Corporation and is a registered trademark. The alloy consists mainly of nickel and chromium and is very heat resistant. Therefore, it is used in the oil, chemical and aerospace (for black boxes) industries.
3D Printing Metal #4: Aluminum
Due to its lightness and versatility, aluminum is very popular in 3D printing. Aluminum alloys are commonly used.
3D Printing Metal #5: Cobalt Chrome
gap). It is most commonly used in the manufacture of turbines, dental and orthopedic implants, where 3D printing has become the dominant technology.
3D printing metal #5. Copper and bronze
With some exceptions, copper and bronze are used in wax melting processes, rarely in layer melting.
The fact is that these metals are not very suitable for industry, they are more often used in the manufacture of works of art and crafts. ColorFabb offers both metals as the basis for a special metal filament.
3D printing metal #6. Iron
Iron, incl. magnetic, also mainly used as an additive to PLA-based filaments, which are produced, for example, by ProtoPasta and TreeD.
3D printing metal #7. Gold, Silver, and Other Precious Metals
Most preformed layer companies can 3D print precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum. Here, along with the preservation of the aesthetic properties of materials, it is important to achieve optimization of work with expensive starting powder. Precious metal 3D printing is required for jewelry, medical applications and electronics.
Metallic 3D printing. Printers
Do not hesitate - the purchase of a metal 3D printer will not pass without a trace on your budget.
It will cost at least 100-250 thousand dollars. Here is a list of a variety of "metal" printers, some of which can be found in firms providing 3D printing services.
Metal 3D Printer #1:
Sciaky EBAM 300 - Metal Filament Printing
If you need to print really large metal structures, Sciaky's EBAM technology is your best bet. By order, the device can be built in almost any size. This technique is used mainly in the aerospace industry and the military.
Sciaky's largest production printer is the EBAM 300. It prints objects in a volume of 5791 x 1219 x 1219 mm.
The company claims the EBAM 300 is also one of the fastest industrial 3D printers on the market. A three-meter-sized titanium part for an aircraft is printed on it in 48 hours, while the material consumption is about 7 kg per hour. In general, forged parts that usually take 6-12 months to complete can be made in 2 days with this 3D printer.
The metal layers are first cut and then ultrasonically welded. The largest Fabrisonic 7200 printer operates in a volume of 2 x 2 x 1.5 m. The metal powder 3D printer is the Concept Laser XLine 1000. It has a modeling volume of 630 x 400 x 500 mm and is the size of a house.
Its German company, one of the main suppliers of 3D printers for aerospace giants like Airbus, recently introduced a new machine, the Xline 2000.
This machine uses two lasers and has a working volume of 800 x 400 x 500 mm. Uses LaserCUSING laser technology (a variant of selective laser fusion) from Concept Laser, which allows you to print alloys of steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, precious metals and even some pure substances (titanium and stainless steel).
Metallic 3D printing. Services
There are more than 100 companies worldwide offering metal 3D printing services. We list the most popular services for consumer needs.
Metal 3D Printing Service #1: Shapeways
The world's most popular 3D printing service, Shapeways offers two types of services.
As a consumer, you can choose from a wide range of professionally designed objects, customize them, and then have them printed to your specifications. Like other 3D printing services, Shapeways offers a platform for designers to sell and print their work. Shapeways is also a good place for rapid prototyping: customers benefit from industrial-grade printers (EOS, 3D Systems) and personal technical support.
3D printing metals: aluminium, brass, bronze, gold, platinum, precious metal plating, silver, steel. There are also wax molds for jewelry purposes.
Metal 3D Printing Service #2: Sculpteo
Like Shapeways and i.materialise, Sculpteo is an online 3D printing service that allows anyone to upload 3D models and send them to fabrication in a wide range of materials . Like its competitors, Sculpteo provides a platform for hobbyists and professionals to showcase and sell their designs. The stable of Sculpteo printers includes highly professional machines from 3D Systems, EOS, Stratasys and ZCorp.
Extensive technical documentation will help identify design flaws and select the right material for the project.
Metals for 3D printing: alumide (plastic with aluminum particles), brass, silver.
Metal 3D Printing Service #3: iMaterialise
Materialise is a company that works with industrial customers to prototyp 3D printed products. For casual users and designers, Materialize offers an online 3D printing service called i.materialise. As with Shapeways, this service allows anyone to upload their 3D designs and print them out. Once an object has been uploaded and successfully printed, a designer can list it for sale either in the gallery of the i.materalise online store or by embedding some code into their site.
3D printing metals: alumide (plastic with aluminum powder), brass, bronze, copper, gold, silver, steel, titanium.
Metal 3D Printing Service #4: 3D Hubs
Through 3D Hubs, you can search for individuals and companies that offer 3D printing services in your area, upload STL files (which are immediately evaluated for defects ) and contact service providers directly to get the job done.
The online 3D printing service also allows you to sort offers by materials, customer rating, distance and many other parameters. Whatever object you wish to print, there is likely to be someone nearby who can print it. A significant number of materials can be printed in industrial quality, such materials have an HD mark in the search field.
3D printing metals: aluminium, bronze, cobalt-chromium, stainless steel, titanium.
Precise 3D metal printing on order in Sprint 3D
Metal 3D printing - additive manufacturing of metal products, which is rightfully one of the most promising and rapidly developing areas in 3D printing as such. The technology itself originates from the conventional sintering of materials used in powder metallurgy. But now it has become more perfect, accurate and fast. And today SPRINT3D offers you metal printing on 3 D printer on really favorable terms.
But first, a little information about the production process itself and its capabilities.
Selective Laser Fusion Technology
SLM or Selective Fusion Technology is a type of direct metal printing that achieves a density of 99.5%. The difference is especially noticeable when compared with models obtained by conventional casting. This indicator is achieved due to the introduction of the latest technologies in the hardware part:
- The use of special rollers for compacting powders and, as a result, the possibility of using powders with a particle size of 5 µm.
- Bulk density increase to help compact end products.
- Creates a rarefied atmosphere of inert gases, which ensures maximum purity of the material, no oxidation, and eliminates the risk of introducing third-party chemicals into the composition.
But most importantly, the modern 3 D metal printer makes it easy to customize the configuration for printing with a specific metal powder.
Thus, even with inexpensive material, you can get a first-class result. But only if you use high-quality modern equipment. And here we are ready to surprise you too!
Metal 3D printing B SPRINT 3D
3D printing with own 3D printers
The largest working area is 280x280x350 mm
layer thickness up to 15 microns
3D with various types of metals
Delivery throughout Russia and CIS countries
Installations for 3 9000 which we use
Production quality is a key requirement that we set ourselves. Therefore, in our work we use only professional equipment with wide possibilities for metal printing. Let's take a closer look at each of the production units.
Production unit SLM 280HL
SLM 280HL is a development of the German company SLM Solutions GmbH, which uses the technology of layer-by-layer laser melting of powder metal materials. The installation is equipped with a large working chamber and allows you to create 3D objects with dimensions of 280x280x350 mm.
Among the main advantages of printing with this installation are:
- Small minimum thickness of the applied layer - 20 microns.
- Filling the working chamber with inert gas, which allows you to work with various reactive metals.
- Print speed up to 35 cm/hour.
- Building layer thickness – 30 and 50 µm.
- Power - 400 W.
A special highlight is the patented powder feed system, which delivers significantly faster print speeds than most production machines in the same price range. We use the following materials in production:
- Stainless steel (domestic 07X18H12M2 (Polema), 12X18H10T and imported 316L).
- Tool steel (imported 1.2709).
- Heat-resistant alloys 08KhN53BMTYu (similar to Inconel 718, produced by Polem) and EP 741 (produced by VILS).
- Cobalt Chrome (COCR)
The SLM 280HL 3D printer can be used to create all kinds of metal components, prototypes and end products.
If necessary, we can provide small-scale production.
ProX 100 production unit
ProX 100 is a compact 3 D metal printing unit developed by the American company 3D Systems. It uses direct laser sintering technology, which ensures high speed and precision of production. Among the main characteristics, it is worth highlighting:
- The size of the working chamber is 100x100x80 mm.
- Building layer thickness – 20 and 30 µm.
- Power - 50 W.
ProX 100 allows you to create prototypes that cannot be developed by standard methods, provides short lead times, guarantees the absence of material porosity and high part density. In addition, we note the standardized quality of all products, regardless of their structure. At the moment, the model is actively used in dentistry when creating high-precision prostheses, but it has found wide application in other industries:
- Manufacture of engines and their individual parts.
- Development of medical equipment.
- Printing jewelry and even contemporary art.
In printing we use the cobalt-chromium alloy KX28M6 (manufactured by Polem), originally developed for additive technologies when creating endoprostheses.
Metal 3D printing - current application
Many experts argue that 3D printing as such has not yet fully revealed its potential. For example, Elon Musk plans to use technology in the colonization of Mars to build administrative and residential buildings, equipment and technology right on the spot. And this is quite real, because already now the technology of three-dimensional metal printing is actively used in various industries: The high precision of production and relatively affordable price have made 3D printing very relevant in this industry.
