Tag: metal x

02 Oct 2019
Metal X 3D Printer
3D Printing, Additive Manufacturing Juliann Grant 0 comment

Advantages of Metal 3D Printing in Additive Manufacturing

We’ve recently posted two new white papers highlighting the advantages of using metal 3D printing in additive manufacturing. The first takes a look at the problems you can solve with metal additive manufacturing. The second takes a deeper dive into five applications of metal 3D printing. Read on to learn more.

What Problems Can You Solve with Metal Additive Manufacturing?

There is a lot of hype around 3D printing. You see it on the news, cool videos are circulating and lots of people have personal 3D printers for their own projects. But what about Additive Manufacturing solutions using metal 3D printed parts? This new white paper explores the benefits of metal additive manufacturing including:

  • Geometric Freedom
  • Full Automation
  • Minimal Tooling or Setup

Additive manufacturing solves for:

  • Simplified Assemblies
  • Optimized Geometries
  • Digital Inventory and Legacy Parts

Five Applications of Metal 3D Printing

Metal fabrication has been limited to cutting and forming operations for hundreds of years, yet with the advent of metal 3D printing, these methods are evolving into a new and exciting era for additive manufacturing. 

Read the white paper to find the answers to questions like:

  • What sorts of parts could a 3D printer produce?
  • Would it make traditional metalworking obsolete?
  • What advantages does metal 3D printing possess over conventional fabrication methods?

Additionally you will learn five application spaces where metal 3D printing wins out.

18 Aug 2017
Additive Manufacturing Juliann Grant 0 comment

Daimler to use 3D Metal Replacement Parts

The uses of 3D Printing continues to grow, especially as more durable materials are becoming available on 3D Printers at a reasonable price point.  Metal printers, in fact, are becoming more affordable. We are excited about Markforged’s Metal X 3D printer which will be available sometime in September/October 2017 which will have a price point of under $100k.  If you need metal parts, that is something to consider!

I came across this article noting Daimler is starting to use 3D metal replacement parts for their Mercedes commercial trucks:

Daimler has been 3D printing plastic spare parts for older commercial trucks for about a year, and now it’s moving on to metal parts. The company recently 3D printed its first metal replacement part, a thermostat cover for older Mercedes trucks and Unimog utility vehicles. Daimler believes 3D printing could be a cost-effective way to keep spare parts available indefinitely.

Like other 3D-printed objects, the thermostat covers are made by adding material in layers until the proper shape is achieved. In this case, the material is an aluminum-silicon powder, which is melted using lasers.

Daimler claims the 3D-printed parts are just as strong as the die-cast aluminum versions installed on the trucks when they were new. The company also claims 3D printing is more cost effective than tooling up for a production run using conventional methods. That makes it perfect for producing spare parts, which are usually only ordered in small batches. It also means Daimler can make parts on demand, instead of warehousing large stockpiles.

Small batches is the key when it comes to 3D printing. It’s not meant to be a production-line ready, and pump out hundreds of parts per hour.  It solvs specific problems where a quick fix is needed to keep things working.  I think we will continue to see more examples of Additive Manufacturing in production environments as we move into 2018.

Download information about the Markforged Metal X here.

Let us know how we can help you.  We can share what we have learned in talking with our other customers.

 

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