3-D Printing with Metal

[BeardyMentor]

Originally Posted by Sperkowsky

I believe all metal 3d printers use a mix of plastic and metal in them. I also know some do metal coated items. Ill see a bit more of the trend in a little over a month at the 3d printing expo.

Incorrect, There are a few types commonly used. The most common is Direct Metal Laser Sintering. This uses a laser to melt metal powder, then spreads a new layer of powder and so on. Next there is Electron Beam Melting. This preheats a metal powder bed to near the melting point then uses an electron beam to melt the powder. Next is the ExOne process that uses a binder to glue metal powder together, then the parts are infused with bronze in a furnace. There are also selective deposition printers using lasers or electric arcs to melt metal as it is deposited in a similar way to the desktop printers you are likely familiar with. There are also printers that extrude a metal clay. There are some others but this covers 99% of what is out there right now.

When you go to the 3D printing Expo, check out EOS, they usually have an M280 on display. Also Arcam and Renishaw are usually there with some of their printed products.