3D Printing Services in NYC: Metal Printing Techniques

3D printing technologies have evolved significantly over the years, from simple plastic extrusion printing to high resolution, multi-material printing. With the advent of metal 3D printing, we are currently in the midst of an additive manufacturing revolution. From prototypes to end-use parts, metal printing is capable of taking on complex shapes with incredible accuracy and strength. It's no wonder why the popularity of 3D printing continues to increase in New York City.

In this article, we will dive into the different metal 3D printing techniques available and their advantages and disadvantages.

Powder Bed Fusion Techniques

Powder bed fusion techniques are the most commonly used metal 3D printing technologies. In these techniques, metal powder is spread onto a bed and fused together layer by layer using either a laser or an electron beam. The two most widely used powder bed fusion techniques are:

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)

DMLS is a popular and well-established method, widely used in the aerospace and medical industries to produce highly complex parts. With this method, a laser beam fuses together the metal powder particles layer by layer until a complex object is formed. DMLS is popular due to its high accuracy and the ability to create fully functional and durable metal parts using different materials such as stainless steel, titanium, and aluminum.

Electron Beam Melting (EBM)

EBM is similar to DMLS, but instead of using a laser, an electron beam is used to melt the metal powder. EBM has greater control over the process than DMLS, as it can control temperature and material composition, making it useful for more advanced and complex applications. EBM produces parts that have excellent mechanical properties, high melting temperature, and are air-tight.

Directed Energy Deposition Techniques

Directed Energy Deposition (DED) technologies deposit molten material layer by layer. DED can be used with metal alloys or for wire-based metal printing. Two popular DED techniques are:

Laser Powder Deposition (LPD)

LPD uses a laser to melt the metal powder and deposit the metal onto the substrate in a controlled manner. LPD can print large parts using wire feedstock, making it ideal for repairing existing metal components. Repair work on aircrafts and ships has used this technology for decades. LPD can also produce parts with varying material properties and a range of metals and alloys.

Automated Direct Wire Deposition (ADWD)

ADWD is a wire-based printing technique that uses a high-powered electric arc to melt wire material onto a substrate. ADWD is similar to LPD in that it can produce large parts quickly with high accuracy. Additionally, it is cheaper than most powder bed fusion techniques and allows for the creation of larger scale metal components.

Conclusion

Metal 3D printing has revolutionized the manufacturing industry and with the advances in technology, we can expect further developments down the road. While each of the above techniques has its advantages and disadvantages, they all lead to complex shapes and innovative applications. From small medical implants to large-scale aerospace parts, metal 3D printing can produce it all. As 3D printing becomes more mainstream and accessible, we can expect to see more and more exciting applications emerge in New York City.