What is Metal 3D Printing?

Unlike traditional manufacturing techniques, metal 3D printing allows a quicker transition from raw materials to finished products. The technology is used for prototyping in production-grade materials and can also be used for rapid industrial tooling. Typical applications include tool components and finish parts creation for aerospace and automotive sectors.It can also be used to produce highly durable metal parts.

How does metal 3D printing work?

Metal 3D printing service is usually done using a CAD model. This design is then translated into coordinates and sent to a 3D printer. A high-powered laser is then used to melt the powder. Depending on the metal, the laser beam may be emitted in an inert gas environment or fired directly onto the part. It can also be used to create internal voids.

This type of 3D printing uses metal powders to build parts – onelayer at a time. A high-powered laser melts successive layers of powdered metal to fuse them together to form a solid part. Some systems also use lattice structures. These technologies can be used to create a wide variety of complex geometric designs.

Metal 3D printing uses a various materials, including stainless steel, titanium, cobalt chrome, Inconel, and more. Stainless steels are mainly used in consumer and industrial applications and have low thermal expansion. In addition, they can be heat-treated to increase their mechanical properties. Plating is also an option to improve fatigue strength and surface quality.

Wrap Up

Metal 3D printing can also be used to create complex geometric parts. This process is perfect for the aerospace and medical industries. However, there are some limitations to this technique. The process requires a high degree of skill and experience. In addition, it takes more time than traditional manufacturing techniques. It is also more expensive than other manufacturing methods. It is also more complex than powder bed systems.

The metal 3D printing process does require support structures to reduce warping due to the high processing temperatures. Support structures are usually built-in lattice structures to improve the geometry and mechanical properties. The support structure is then removed at the end of the processto improve the surface quality of the part.

Another common feature of metal 3D printing is the ability to produce near-net-shape parts. However, metal post-processing is required for improved geometrical accuracy and surface quality.

Learn more about metal 3D printing as you check out Midwest Designs, a top 3D printing company based in Australia. Visit their website at www.midwestdesignsllc.com to check out all of their offered services.