Subject: a low cost 3-D metal printer.
From: rotaryeng
Date: 1/15/2014, 9:34 PM
To: AAA-rotaryeng








   You're probably aware of this, but Sigma Labs seems
 preparing a low cost 3-D metal printer.
           http://www.ipmd.net/news/002547.html
   Have a nice week. Best regards. Salut

             Jose Gros-Aymerich
             Madrid, Spain


Notice how they don't show what a finished product looks like, or any product at all, no metallurgical specs, nothing of substance.
Low cost? No hints at pricing in the article at all. Nothing more than robotic MIG welding with overlapping vertical stacking. We play with this technology in our FANUC/Fronius welding lab. It's not a precision process. If you don't mind something that looks like frosting squeezed out of a bakers funnel, with more spatter. Been there, got the t-shirt.
I'm having trouble figuring out where this process supplants existing manufacturing techniques on a cost quality basis. Real 3D metal printing that can be used right out of the tray is DMLS. Direct Metal Laser Sintering.
C. Smith



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