Compared to plastic 3D printing technology, metal additive manufacturing (AM) is relatively young.
metal
Unusual 3D Metal Printing Services by Smit Röntgen
If you want 3D printed metal parts, you buy or use a 3D metal printer, correct? Not always, it turns out.
Ability 3D’s Low Cost 3D Metal Printing Option
We had a chance to talk to Ben Willard, the “guy in the garage” behind Ability 3D, a 3D metal printer.
CoLiDo’s 3D Metal Printer is On The Way
It seems there are an increasing number of 3D metal printer options recently, and there’s one more from CoLiDo.
Markforged’s New 3D Metal Printer: The Metal X
Markforged’s previous 3D printing equipment focused on high-strength materials like nylon, kevlar and carbon fiber, but now they’re into metal, too.
Could the World’s Most Heat Resistant Material Be 3D Printed?
Researchers at Imperial College London have identified incredible materials that can withstand temperatures up to 4,000C, but would it be possible to 3D print this stuff?
Why Is 3D Metal Printing So Challenging?
Those familiar with polymer 3D printing will recall the challenges of successful printing, but that’s nothing compared to the requirements of 3D metal printing.
EVO-tech Can 3D Print Real Metal Objects with Filament!
Hidden in the back of EVO-tech’s booth at FormNext was a very significant spool of material.
The Promise of Xjet’s Unusual 3D Printing Process
Xjet is a very interesting Israeli company developing a truly unique 3D printing process that differs from any other.
Farsoon Enters Americas: More 3D Metal Printer Choices Than Ever Before
Another Asian 3D metal printer manufacturer has launched operations in North America: Farsoon.
Aurora Labs Ships
Do you remember Aurora Labs? Yes? No? Well, I had to look them up and found we had last written about the company more than two years ago.
The Particle Size Conundrum in Metal 3D Printing
As companies continue to explore the best ways to perform 3D metal printing, a question regarding materials has arisen.
Researchers 3D Print Metal in Zero G for ESA
Made In Space changed the world when it installed the Zero-G Printer on the International Space Station (ISS) in late 2014.
Metal 3D Printing Buzz Attracts Entrants From Many Sources
If you haven’t noticed, there’s a small explosion of 3D metal printing equipment underway.
InssTek: Both Small and Very Large 3D Metal Printers
A Korean company is covering all the bases with a very wide breadth in their line of 3D metal printers.
Ricoh Working on Metal 3D Printing Technology – And Ceramics
While Ricoh has been selling their SLS-based 3D printer for over a year, they’re now beginning to move into a very different 3D printing technology.
Matsuura Seems to Have Metal 3D Printing Figured Out
There are many new 3D metal printers on the market, but most of them produce objects requiring significant post-processing. But not Matsuura’s.
No, Not Really: Australian Drug Dealers 3D Printing Submachine Guns?
A series stories suggest that some druggies on the Gold Coast of Australia recently 3D printed submachine guns. I Don’t Think So.
Roland’s Not-So-Secret Ceramic 3D Printer
When you think of “Roland” with respect to making machines, you think “small desktop unit”. But that’s definitely not going to be the case soon.
OR Laser’s Sophisticated Metal 3D Printer
German company OR Laser has developed a sophisticated metal 3D printer based on their previous laser expertise.
Has 3d-figo Figured Out How To 3D Print Any Material?
In a very tiny booth on the left side of the FormNext exhibition was a display from a one-person company that just may have figured out a monstrous breakthrough in 3D printing.
APWorks’ LightRider Foretells Interesting New 3D Designs
APWorks has released a design for a fabulous 3D printed electric motorcycle called the “Light Rider”. But I think there’s a lot more to this project.
Get Ready; The Next Wave of Metal 3D Printing is About to Begin
In 2009 something happened that started a 3D printer boom. That’s going to happen once again.
3D Printed Vocal Rings by EncodeRing
Here’s a fun vertical application of 3D printing: EncodeRing, a physical manifestation of your voice, on demand.
GE Raises The Price of 3D Metal Printer Companies
The battle over control of 3D metal printer companies continues.
Ability3D’s Desktop Metal 3D Printer
Metal 3D printing on the desktop is pretty much a dream for many designers due to the extreme cost involved, but soon there may be an option.
GE Buys Two 3D Metal Printer Firms, Just Not The Ones We Thought
General Electric’s bid to purchase Germany-based SLM Solutions fell through – but GE evidently had a backup plan.
Optomec Introduces Hybrid Metal 3D Printing at Half the Cost
At the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2016, it was clear that 3D printing was no longer a tool for prototyping, but something capable of aiding in the manufacturing process—whether it be the 3D printing of tooling or end products themselves.
Serious Implications to 3D Printing After GE’s Acquisition
A few weeks ago General Electric announced the acquisition of not one, but two metal 3D printing companies. The implications are quite serious.
Another Major 3D Printer Manufacturer Steps into Industry 4.0
It’s contagious! Concept Laser has joined several other players in producing a “Smart Factory” based on their 3D printing technology.
Optomec Announces Three New Metal 3D Prints, Including CNC Hybrids
Optomec announced three new metal-capable 3D printing devices in a new line of equipment.
Four Lasers Are Better Than One with New EOS Metal 3D Printer
Ahead of the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), the largest manufacturing trade show in North America, some 3D printing companies are already spreading their feathers.
Waiting for Transparent Aluminum 3D Printers
Among the infinite variety of materials in our world is a very peculiar substance known as Aluminium oxynitride, or as some call it, transparent aluminum.
BREAKING: General Electric to Acquire Both Arcam AND SLM!
Today General Electric announced plans to acquire two metal 3D printing companies, Arcam and SLM Solutions.
Optomec’s New Micron-Level 3D Printing Capability
Optomec announced an improvement in their Aerosol Jet Technology that permits production of very small structures.
The Metal Powder Business Expands Due To 3D Printing, But Only So Far
It seems that metal producers have noticed this pattern and have been gearing up for more sales.
Two “Secret” 3D Printing Startups
Fabbaloo reader Lance Pickens asked about two 3D printing startups, so what else could I do but check them out?
Investing in Metal 3D Print Powders? Not So Fast!
I read a report proposing that it might be profitable to invest in metal powder production for 3D printers and concluded this might not be the best plan.
Russian 3D Printing Goes Nuclear
While Russia has its fair share of 3D printing–related businesses and research activities, the country may be farther behind in adoption when compared to the United States, Europe and the rest of Asia.
Two Interesting 3D Print Technologies Under Development
I recently encountered a couple of fascinating research projects that are both attempting to develop powerful new 3D printing technologies.
See, 3D Printing is Definitely Not Dead
In spite of the stream of ridiculous mainstream media posts on the “death of 3D printing”, there are plenty of good news stories, too. Here’s two.
Who is Zrapid Tech and Why Don’t You Know About Them?
Our team encountered folks from a company called ZRapid, whom we learned much about – and you should too.
Ti3AU, the Hardest New Metal Material for 3D Printing?
Researchers at Rice University and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory have developed a startlingly hard material, Ti3Au.
Can You 3D Print a Superconductor?
Selective laser melting process in action. Credit: Tim Sercombe/University of Western Australia
Researchers have been investigating whether it’s possible to 3D print an object that acts as a superconductor.
Large Scale 3D Printed Nanostructures Possible
A newly invented process could enable large-scale use of nano-printed metal materials.
Sigma Labs Introduces Much-Needed In-Process Quality Assurance to Metal 3D Printing
Metal 3D printing enables the production of new, more efficient and intricate geometries, with the potential to reduce costs and increase the performance of a given product.
Desktop Metal Raises $52 Million in Funding from GE Ventures, Saudi Aramco and More
While polymer 3D printing has its place in the production of end parts, metal may be where the real value lies for disrupting the manufacturing industry.
Dissolvable Metal Support Material for 3D Printed Metal Could Create New Opportunities
Researchers have developed a very unusual support material: dissolvable carbon steel that could be used for metal 3D printing support structures.
The Coming Importance of Furnaces for 3D Printing
Furnaces for 3D printing? Yes, I think so.
Implications of Höganäs’ Digital Metal Process
Yesterday I described about Höganäs’ incredible Digital Metal 3D printing process, but I believe there are some strong implications here.
Who Is Höganäs and How Did They Make This Amazing Metal 3D Printer?
Who knew that one of the most amazing metal 3D printing technologies is hidden in Sweden?
colorFabb Announces Steel 3D Printer Filament
True to form, Netherlands-based colorFabb introduced yet another pioneering 3D printer filament, this time based on Steel.
Formfutura’s Almost-Entirely Metal 3D Printer Filaments
Netherlands-based Formfuture announced a pair of new composite metal 3D printer filaments today, but there’s a surprising twist: they’re almost entirely metal!
Arcam’s Recent Moves In Materials Suggest Growth
Sweden’s Arcam is a company on the move, it seems, as they’ve been making a series of deals to solidify their metal materials providers.
Stratasys’ Backdoor Path Into Metal 3D Printing?
With the huge increase of interest in metal 3D printing, you’d wonder why Stratasys, perhaps the largest 3D printing company in the world, doesn’t yet offer metal 3D printers.
Additive Industries’ MetalFAB1 Hits Airbus, And It’s Huge
Netherlands-based Additive Industries has delivered its very first MetalFAB1 to none other than Airbus. The results are huge in more ways than one.
A Consideration of EBM versus DMLS Industrial Metal 3D Printing Processes, Part 2
This is the final segment of a two-part series comparing EBM and DMLS 3D printing processes. The first part may be found here.
A Consideration of EBM versus DMLS Industrial Metal 3D Printing Processes, Part 1
There is no escaping the fact that industrial 3D printing with metal is an increasing application trend for additive manufacturing technologies.
New 3D Printing Process Could Revolutionize Metal Printing
Researchers from the University of Southern California have developed yet another 3D printing process, which they call “Selective Separation Sintering”.
Fraunhofer’s Metal 3D Screen Printing Achieves Mass Production of Intricate Metal Parts
Critical to the adoption of additive manufacturing in the aerospace, automotive and defense industries, metal 3D printing is poised to see significant advances in the near future.
Something Every 3D Printer Owner Should Have: A Foundry
Many people have 3D printers capable of producing plastic objects, but very few have a metal 3D printer. But with your own foundry, it’s almost as if you did.
3D Printed Lock Key Actually Works!
A designer has been able to recreate a physical lock key with 3D technologies and a handy hardware store.
Proven: Metal Additive Manufacturing Can Optimize Building Structure
A research paper by engineers from Netherlands-based Arup suggests that 3D printed building elements could provide significant benefit when designing particular structural styles.
Metal 3D Printer Manufacturer XJET Announces Huge Investment
Israel-based XJET announced a huge USD$25M investment to bolster their progress in developing an incredibly innovative metal 3D printer.
Arcam To Develop German Market
Sweden-based Arcam seems to be setting up a German subsidiary.
3D Printed Flatware: Another Big Market For Metal 3D Printing?
We’re checking out one of 3D artist Francis Bitonti’s latest ventures: Setae Flatware, and realized there might be a lot more to this.
ARCAM Expands: Validating The Increasing Interest In Metal 3D Printing?
A press release from ARCAM seeks to hire a number of different roles. What does this mean?
Metal 3D Printer Monitors Its Own Builds
EOS was on hand at Formnext in Frankfurt, Germany, to emphasize its expertise in industrial 3D printing and its ability to make larger, faster, smaller and higher-quality 3D-printed parts.
Nano-Level Electro-Chemical 3D Printing Demonstrated
A new microscopic 3D printing process has been developed by Swiss company Cytosurge, and it can print metal!
UCLA Invents New Strong And Lightweight Metal, But Can It Be 3D Printed?
A new metal alloy developed by UCLA researchers looks quite promising, particularly for aerospace use, but can it be 3D printed?
Additive Industries Nails Their First Beta Tester For MetalFAB1
Netherlands-based Additive Industries has found a willing tester for their massive metal 3D printing system, the MetalFAB1.
Why The Interest In 3D Metal Printing?
We continue to hear growing interest in metal 3D printing. Is there a reason for this? We think so.
Additive Industries Licenses Metal 3D Print Patents From EOS
Expect some interesting developments in metal 3D printing after EOS has provided some of their technology to Additive Industries.
The Other Way Of 3D Printing Metal
Most commercial metal 3D printers use powder-based techniques, but there’s another approach: deposition welding.
Ibarmia’s Hybrid Metal 3D Printer and Mill
Spain-based Ibarmia has partnered with researchers to create a very intriguing hybrid metal manufacturing machine.
A 3D Printing Pen – That Prints In Metal!
The 3DMetalCreator is a unique device: it’s a pen that can print in metal.
China Set for 3D Printed Hip Joint Mass Production, and The West May Suffer For It
China’s State Food and Drug Administration recently approved use of 3D printed artificial hip joints, opening up the possibility of mass production. And some other effects, too.
i.Materialise Offers Black Steel 3D Prints and Lowers Pricing
Popular consumer-oriented 3D print service i.Materialise just added a very interesting new material: Black Steel.
SWISSto12 Produces 3D Printed Antennae
A company uses a combination of 3D printing and electroplating to produce lightweight microwave and millimeter-wave transmission components.
The Cosine AdditiveMachine1 Large-Format 3D Printer
The number of very large plastic-extrusion technology 3D printers is increasing. Today we’re looking at the Cosine AdditiveMachine1, which definitely qualifies for that list.
The Skylon Spaceplane’s 3D Printed Injector
You may not have heard much of the Skylon spaceplane project, but you soon will hear more, partly due to 3D printing technology.
Arcam’s Q10 EBM Printer Answers the Need for Customized Metal Implants
Sweden’s Arcam has been in the metal additive manufacturing (AM) business since 1997, and has established itself as a leading manufacturer of electron beam melting (EBM) metal AM machines.
Concept Laser M3 Linear
Germany’s Concept Laser has been a leader in the field of laser metal melting since the debut of its M3 Linear system in 2004.
Time For a Breakthrough in 3D Metal Printing?
3D metal printing is an expensive proposition, and it may be that this expense is holding back adoption by industry. Is there anything that can be done?
3D Systems Announces Additive Manufacture of Heat Exchangers with Honeywell International
3D Systems announced its part in a $1.3 million contract to design, build and test an aircraft heat exchanger that is to be 3D printed.
Is Metal 3D Printer Filament Dangerous?
We’re wondering whether using metal-infused filaments in personal 3D printers is actually a safe thing to do.
Perceptron’s Green Laser 3D Scanner
Perceptron announced a new style of 3D laser scanner that overcomes several issues.
Fabrisonic Hybrid Metal 3D Printing
Fabrisonic, a company based in Columbus Ohio, has a different approach to metal 3-D printing.
Electroplate Your 3D Prints with the Orbit1
Tired of plain plastic 3D prints? A new device can electroplate your prints in metal: The Orbit1.
NASA 3D Prints Copper Rocket Part
US space agency NASA has 3D printed a full-scale rocket engine part in copper.
3D Printed Component To Blast Off On The Atlas V
As 3D printing technology continues to improve, more industries and companies are analyzing how they can incorporate it into their existing production processes.
3D Printed Metal Pricing Analysis
A reader recently asked us how much it would cost to print an item in metal. We said, “Lots”, but there’s more to the story.
Why Would You Need Tungsten 3D Printer Filament?
We’ve noticed MakerGeeks sells spools of tungsten infused filament. Is this something you could use?
Filamet Hopes To Provide Artist-Quality Metal Filament
A small project has launched to provide a new kind of metal filament for personal 3D printers that is specially designed for use by artists.
NanoSteel Makes Another Breakthrough in Metal 3D Printing
Metal 3D printing materials supplier Nanosteel has developed a method of 3D printing a gradient of metals in a single part.