Metal 3D printing is currently dominated by powder-based techniques like SLM (Selective Laser Melting). These processes yield incredibly precise parts, but the build times are slow. Furthermore, dealing with the powder increases manufacturing complexity: Whenever the powder is transported, loaded into the machine, or cleaned up afterwards, rigorous steps must
Most cheap-o grade filament metal 3d printers are 10k and up, there really is no real hobbyist pricepoint for metal 3d printing. The industrial level metal 3d printers were already at 100k to million per machine. This is obviously targetting things like automotive and aerospace industry, that can easily pay those prices, not consumers. Maybe if we get more Wire DED metal 3d printers the cost might go down, or it won’t.
On top of the purchase price, I’m guessing that having something like this running in your home fab will require more safety equipment than a uv shroud and an air mover to keep things safe/non-deadly.
Most cheap-o grade filament metal 3d printers are 10k and up, there really is no real hobbyist pricepoint for metal 3d printing. The industrial level metal 3d printers were already at 100k to million per machine. This is obviously targetting things like automotive and aerospace industry, that can easily pay those prices, not consumers. Maybe if we get more Wire DED metal 3d printers the cost might go down, or it won’t.
On top of the purchase price, I’m guessing that having something like this running in your home fab will require more safety equipment than a uv shroud and an air mover to keep things safe/non-deadly.
Yeah, like the printers using metal powder need pretty much a hazmat gear to operate.
I was hoping this one might have been around 15-20k but was totally wrong. Hopefully someday they’ll be cheap enough for the everyday household