3D Printing Metal Materials

• Aluminum
• Steel
• Brass
• Copper
• Bronze
• Sterling silver
• Gold
• Platinum
• Titanium

If you’re a goldsmith, you can also order wax models for casting special metals.

Speaking of wax models, most 3D printed metals (including gold and silver) are actually produced through a process called lost wax casting. That is, not everything is 3D printed in factory. Services often turn to other companies that are specialized in metal production to finish the order. Nevertheless, the number of metal 3D printing services is growing rapidly all over the world. And at the same time, metal 3D printers are becoming more common at 3D printing services.

The reason big companies like metal 3D printing so much is that it can be used to build “topologically optimized” parts. This makes it possible to perfectly distribute the material in a component in order to make it thicker only where it needs to withstand more stresses, thus drastically reducing the weight without sacrificing structural integrity. However, this is not the only technology out there. Some are significantly more affordable and more accessible.

Please be aware that metal 3D printing requires special CAD designs. For general information, Shapeways offers metal 3D printing guidelines. For even more advanced information, take a look at this article from Statasys, which discusses metal 3D printers and the nuances of metal 3D printing.

There’s never been a better time to get into 3D printing. There are tons of models to choose from, countless 3D designs available online, and (most importantly) prices that keep dropping.MAY 05, 2018.There’s never been a better time to get into 3D printing. There are tons of models to choose from, countless 3D designs available online, and (most importantly) prices that keep dropping.

Buying your first 3D printer can be a little intimidating. There’s a lot to consider, from price to compatibility to safety concerns. To help you make the leap, we looked into which 3D printers have are best suited for those just starting out. Here are 10 great 3D printers for beginners, in order from cheapest to most expensive.

It’s not exactly a 3D printer, but this 3D pen is a great way to test the waters. The 3Doodler essentially lets you draw in three-dimensional space in a wide range of colors. There’s no setup either. Just open box, insert some filament into the pen, and start creating. 

The one big drawback is that this product needs a special type of 3-millimeter filament that’s expensive to replace ($20 a bundle). The 3Doodler comes with enough printing material (in a wide variety of colors) to get your started. Once you run out, however, buying more can be a pain.

This small, cheap 3D printer from XYZprinting is perfect for beginners. It features a futuristic design that’s fully enclosed so your kids won’t accidentally reach in while it’s running and hurt themselves. Opening the door doesn’t stop the printing process, though, so injury is still possible. You’re also limited to using the company’s filament, but there’s enough included in the box to get you started.

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“3D printer” describes a range of devices. The term sometimes gets applied to machines that make production parts or tooling from metal powder. Since machines making parts like these don’t even resemble a printer, I am not sure about this use of the term. The term seems more fitting when applied to less expensive machines making polymer parts, particularly desktop machines. In any case, all these devices have a future in manufacturing. 

The metal systems will increasingly be used to make near-net-shape industrial parts—and that will be interesting. But for a moment, I would like to consider the lower end of the scale. In the future, I think practically every machining business will have some sort of low-cost 3D printer. That is, I think we will one day take it for granted that the typical job shop has at least a desktop 3D printer, and routinely uses it as a complement to its CNC machine tools.

Part of the reason I think this is anecdotal. The recurring theme I hear in job shops’ testimonies about their 3D printers is that they were surprised to discover how useful these devices proved to be. But the other part of my reasoning is the basis I see for this usefulness. A 3D printer and a machine tool make such good partners because the former fills a role the other can’t fill efficiently. 

That role has to do with the fact that not every item made in a machine shop is a production part. Some items are created for internal use, and some are made for communication with the customer. In a job shop, it would be great if every piece produced was fully and directly billable, but that’s not reality. The additional items that are necessary get made on the very same machine tools that run production, because in a small shop, what other choice is there?