Rose khodamoradi
Metal printing
Metal 3D Printing materials
Among the most commonly used materials in metal 3D printing, there is firstly aluminium, mainly used in alloy form.
Aluminium is useful as it offers good resistance whilst being light. It is mainly used when keeping weight down is
essential, such as in the aeronautics and automotive industries. Steel is also popular, especially in industrial
applications. Steel offers strong mechanical properties and a good surface finish. Due to this, it’s the most popular
metal used in 3D printing.
In addition, there are also metal such as gallium, cobalt-chrome for medical uses, and titanium due to its good
corrosion resistance and biocompatibility for medical applications.
Precious metal are mainly used in jewelry. Despite its high cost, gold, silver, and bronze are all used with 3D printing
to create complex pieces of jewelry. The main challenges within this however is in the finish.
The main metal 3D printing companies
More and more companies are getting involved with 3D printing now it is becoming more popular. Some leading
metal 3D printer manufacturers include 3D Systems which offers a full range of machines (through their 2013
acquisition of French company Phenix Systems); SLM Solutions, a pioneer of selective laser sintering with EOS and
Concept Laser; and Arcam, who use Electron Beam Melting technology in their printers.
New manufacturers are entering the market offering metal 3D printing at lower costs than the industrial solutions that
exist currently. These include Desktop Metal with their Studio System and Production System 3D printers that aim to
make metal printing 10x cheaper. Additionally, Markforged have released a lower-cost metal 3D printer in the Metal
X capable of creating parts up to 250 x 220 x 200 mm.
Outside America there are also manufacturers such as Israeli company XJet, who use NanoParticle Jetting technology
involving fine metal droplets to 3D print. Additionally, companies such as Pollen AM use 3D printing alongside
subtractive technology to create metal 3D printed parts.
EOS a historical player in metal AM
3D printed piece rom desktop metal XJet’s technology
Metal 3D printing Applications
Metal 3D printing is currently used in industry to create tool components and finished parts in sectors such as the
and automotive sectors. 3D printing can produce aircraft components or rocket motors, saving weight and lowering
costs. Metal 3D printing also has uses in the medical sector such as in creating implants to analyse, especially in
dental. Metal additive manufacturing can even be used in the marine sector to design boat propellers!
Markforged Metal 3D printer
