How metal can now be 3D printed (additive manufacturing?) like you can with by dripping plastic layer by layer and it dries up over time?
In: 51
Most metal 3d prints use the laser sintering method. Powdered metal is spread in a thin layer and a laser melts the metal powder into a solid lump where the part is. Another layer of powder is added and the laser melts the next layer and fuses it to the first layer and so on until the part is built. Then all the unused powder is removed and you are left with a 3d printed metal part. As all the metal is melted together the part has no layers and is almost equally as strong in all directions. The process is called DMLS or SLM (direct metal laser sintering or selective laser melting).
You can print plastic parts in a similar way – MJF (multi jet fusion) which uses Nylon powder.
Latest Answers