ChileanTaco
Gray-bearded Member
- Beardie name(s)
- Taco
I've read about this as (online) stores where you can get parts printed also offer printing in metal, even precious metal. (Hadn't ordered any yet as so far there was no part being so important for me that I really want it, and just for "playing around" it's too expensive for me.)Now that's neat, I wonder how that will work. If it has to heat the steel, it seems like it would be fuel intensive. (Electric, gas, lpg, ect)
One method I could imagine: Printing with a material that needs to be heated afterwards to get the carrier material out. There is e.g. a method for shaping metal parts from a "clay", usually used for beginner's jewelry or sculpting courses to make something that is really made from metal, even silver or gold, but won't require "working with metal". Can be shaped similar to clay at room temperature (and allows for easy correction until satisfied with the result), then gets fired and what remains is the metal at exactly the same shape. However, because of the required temperature nothing for doing it at home, unless being able to afford that oven/ kiln, too (baking oven won't do it). Sturdy enough for everyday use (keychain, wedding ring...); just not enough for such as machine parts.
What I've found are indeed methods similar to that, or working with a device that is a special metal 3D printer that works with metal powder and a laser for fusing it.
So, over all, that process can't be done with (only using) your normal 3D printer.
Last edited: