METAL 3D PRINTERS
Look for metal printers to be used for industrial purposes, especially in the aerospace and medical industries.
What’s what in metal 3D printers
Bill Koenig Senior Editor
W attention:
ith 3D printing, metals are catching up to plastics. More metals are being certified
for use in metal 3D printers. Metal printers also are coming into play for industrial uses, particularly in
aerospace and medical. “As the metal additive manufacturing technologies be-
come more affordable, reliable and abundant in the supply chain, companies can take advantage of the additional me- chanical properties AM metals provide—thus ushering in the next wave of AM applications,” said Bill Macy, principal of Macy Consulting Inc. (St. Peters, MO). In December, General Electric began production of 3D
printed fuel nozzle interiors at a plant in Auburn, AL. Air- bus has conducted test flights of a plane with a 3D printed titanium bracket. Macy said both metals and polymers will have their
place in 3D printing while metals are providing more op- tions for users of 3D printing equipment. Some metal 3D printing machines attracting industry
SLM 280HL from SLM Solutions: The selective laser
melting system machine can be equipped two lasers. The company said the machine’s software “supports a produc- tion-oriented data preparation for specific applications and highly optimized building processes.” The SLM 280HL can use material including stainless
steel, took steel, cobalt-chromium, aluminum and tita- nium. It has a build chamber of 280 x 280 x 365 mm. The system is available in three models, with single optics (1x 400 W), dual optics (1x 400 W and 1x 1000 W) and twin optics (2x 400 W). M2 cusing from Concept Laser: The machine is able
to process aluminum and titanium alloys and is “suit- able” for a three-shift operation, according to Concept Laser’s website. It has a build envelope of 250 x 250 x 280 mm. The
laser system is a fiber laser 200 W (cw), with an optional 400 W (cw). The company said its LaserCusing line of ma- chines can produce automotive components. EOS M 290 from EOS: The system produces compo- nents using direct metal laser sintering. Materials such as 15-5 Stainless Steel, CobaltChrome, Titanium Ti64
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Spring 2016
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