Thread: 3d metal printng

Hello everyone so I have been reading
on 3d metal printing for a while, my question is
does this look like its the next big thing in manufacturing or just a nitch

This video is about 4 years old so I can only imagine what they are doing now as far as 3d metal printing.

YouTube

Watch the Dan Gelbart video in the thread below.

Originally Posted by Big B

This video is about 4 years old so I can only imagine what they are doing now as far as 3d metal printing.

YouTube

They showed a larger version based on their 125 model at Emo. Really nice.
Also, they are doing some cool stuff with gradient materials on those machines.

Jet engine manufacturers are really exploring the tech. The ability to print with encased nozzles and voids is huge to that industry.

3d metal printing, especially sintering machines, circumvent so many manufacturing expenses and hurdles that it can only take off. Just think of how many machines, tools, and employees you need to manufacture something like an impeller, for instance. Additive machines also waste no materials, unlike Lathes, Mills, 4-axis CNC machines, etc. The complexity and intricacy of parts they can produce is unachievable on traditional machines. I've seen a DMLS machine produce every component of a turbocharger. Traditional methods would entail a forge, casting molds, 4-axis CNC, lathe, balancing machines, etc. That doesn't even include the salaries of the people to run those machines and the material expenses. It's pretty amazing stuff. Right now the primary limitation of these machines is their speed; most find their place in prototyping. I believe they start around 300k and the quicker machines are 1MM+. Not a huge threat to traditional manufacturing right now, but all the money in the industry is being funneled into fixing that. Every few years I check in on the cost and it's always falling.

there are different approaches to metal printing, i.e. diff tech. The prices are still fairly high as is final product of varying degree of properties. No question that some things beg for it and will be viable, but for now I'd think it's still a niche in a niche market. Just getting a machine and hoping that it would be useful for something to make money without doing research on cost/benefit it a tought call.

I'd say it's too early now unless you got specific jobs and money lined up. Thankfully the rest of the tech like modeling, scanning is well established.

I'll make a brash statement to spark this conversation:

3D printing technology will replace ALL but the simplest of metal milling (and those operator's jobs) in the next 10 years.

Can anyone reassure me to the contrary? (Here's hoping someone can).

(Here's how inexpensive the machines are getting):

2019 Metal 3D Printer Buyer's Guide | All3DP