Metal 3D printer
Buy a metal 3D printer: Everything you need to know
How to find the right metal 3D printer for your needs
Metal 3D printing is an innovative technology that makes it possible to create complex, high-quality metal parts from a digital model. Metal powder or filament is fused or sintered layer by layer using a laser or a print head. Metal 3D printing offers many advantages over conventional manufacturing processes, such as greater design freedom, less material waste and faster production.
But what type of metal 3D printer is right for you? How can you get the best quality and the best price? When is it worth buying your own metal 3D printer or hiring a service provider? In this article, we will give you an overview of the most important aspects of metal 3D printing and introduce you to some of the leading manufacturers and applications.
Introduction: What is metal 3D printing and how does it work?
Metal 3D printing is a technology that makes it possible to produce complex and high-strength objects from metal powder. A laser is used to melt the metal powder layer by layer to form the desired component. This process is also known as selective laser melting (SLM) or laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Metal 3D printing offers many advantages for manufacturing, such as reducing material waste, shortening development times and increasing design freedom.
Alternative processes to SLM or LPBF are, for example, binder jetting or directed energy deposition.
In binder jetting, metal powder is applied to a printing plate and then fixed with a liquid binder. The printing plate is then built up layer by layer by curing the layers with a UV light. This process is particularly suitable for the production of thin-walled parts and is often used for the production of castings.
Directed Energy Deposition is a process in which a laser or electron beam is directed at the metal powder to melt it. The metal is then applied to a predetermined area and built up layer by layer. This process is particularly suitable for the repair and maintenance of parts and for the production of large parts with high strengths.
What distinguishes small series production from mass production?
Types of metal 3D printers and which ones are suitable for whom
Metal 3D printers are powerful devices that make it possible to produce metal parts from various materials such as stainless steel, titanium or aluminum. There are various types of metal 3D printers that differ in their technology and areas of application. A common type of metal 3D printers are DMLS (DirectMetal Laser Sintering) printers, which use a laser beam to fuse metal powder layer by layer. These printers are suitable for the production of complex and high-strength components for industries such as aviation or medicine. An example of a DMLS printer is the SLM800 from SLM Solutions. Another type of metal 3D printer is the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printer, which uses a heated print head to extrude and deposit a special metal filament. These printers are suitable for the production of prototypes or tools with lower strength or accuracy requirements. An example of an FDM printer is the Metal X from Markforged.
Buying advice for metal 3D printers: what you should consider
There are different metal 3D printers depending on the technology, cost point and area of application, and if you want to buy a metal 3D printer, you should consider a few factors:
Your budget: Metal 3D printers are more expensive than conventional 3D printers and can cost between 50,000 and several million euros, depending on the model and manufacturer.
Your requirements: Metal 3D printers can handle different materials and geometries, but not all are suitable for every purpose. You should consider what type of parts you want to print, how often you want to print them and what quality standards you need to meet.
Your experience: Metal 3D printers require more knowledge and skills than conventional 3D printers. You need to familiarize yourself with the technology, set the right parameters and post-process the printed parts.
If you don't want to or can't buy your own metal 3D printer, you can also hire a service provider to deliver the parts you need. This can be a cheaper and easier option, especially if you only need a few or one-off parts. One example of a service provider is Rosswag Engineering, which can offer you both series production and one-off parts made from various metals.
Advantages disadvantages
Advantages / disadvantages: SLM / FDM / DED
Metal 3D printers can use various technologies to produce metal parts from powder or filament. Three common technologies are SLM (Selective Laser Melting), FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) and DED (Direct Energy Deposition). Each technology has its own advantages and disadvantages, which can vary depending on the application and requirements. Some of the advantages and disadvantages are:
SLM: This technology uses a laser beam to fuse metal powder layer by layer. It enables the production of complex and high-strength parts with high precision and surface quality. The disadvantage is that it requires high costs, long printing times and complex post-processing.
FDM: This technology uses a heated print head to extrude and deposit a special metal filament. It enables the production of simple and inexpensive prototypes or tools with lower strength or accuracy requirements. The downside is that it offers low resolution, poor surface quality and a limited choice of materials.
DED: This technology uses a laser beam or an electron beam to melt metal powder or wire onto a surface. It enables the production of large or customized parts with high speed and flexibility. The disadvantage is that it causes low accuracy, rough surface quality and a high heat load.
Print it yourself or have it printed
Metal 3D printers offer many advantages for the additive manufacturing of complex and high-quality components for various industries and applications. But when is it worth buying your own metal 3D printer or hiring a service provider? The answer depends on several factors, such as:
- The costs: An in-house metal 3D printer requires a high investment in the purchase, operation and maintenance of the device as well as in the printing material and post-processing of the parts. A service provider can reduce these costs by sharing printing capacity and expertise with other customers.
- Quality: An in-house metal 3D printer allows greater control over the printing process and the quality of the parts. However, a service provider can offer access to more advanced technologies and materials that may not be available for your own printer.
- Flexibility: An in-house metal 3D printer offers more freedom in the design and customization of parts as well as in the choice of printing time. However, a service provider can guarantee faster delivery and a larger selection of formats and quantities.