3DPrinting
3DPrinting is a place where makers of all skill levels and walks of life can learn about and discuss 3D printing and development of 3D printed parts and devices.
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Most metal printers I've seen are SLS printers that basically used powdered metal instead of powdered nylon. Nylon SLS printers are still $15k. I imagine, but could be wrong, that a metal printer would require a beefier laser, which would drive costs.
@IMALlama @Live_Let_Live I wonder if a design for a metal FDM printer based on MIG could work?
I vaguely recall seeing things like this over the years. You'd want a proper annealing setup IMO if you care about functional parts, assume you'd want a mill too as that'd probably have a really nasty surface.
That totally ignores the fantastic metal vapours and other stuff that a metal printer would give off. Don't get me wrong, I think metal printing is a super interesting idea, def think it's more industrial though.
On the other hand, there are products like BASF ultrafuse that are intended to be printed on fdm plastic printers and through post processing you'll end up with a metal print. No idea how well they work, but idea seems interesting and may be more accessible to hobbyists.
If you manage to get your shrinking right (the actual steel part is smaller than what you print) it works fairly well. I have used it in the past.
Could? Sure. I don't think the result would be great from a resolution or strength perspective. Thinner walls also seem like they would be hard to pull off, especially compared to SLS.