Are These "Metal" 3D Printers? (please help)

[Gizmo j]

https://www.amazon.com/Creality-3D-High-Speed-High-Temperature-220X220X280mm/dp/B0BNDJ6B9N/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=metal+3d+printer&qid=1678835622&sr=8-4&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.2b70bf2b-6730-4ccf-ab97-eb60747b8daf

https://www.amazon.com/Creality-CR-30-3DPrintMill-Motherboard-Structure/dp/B096XK22BT/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=metal+3d+printer&qid=1678835789&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.2b70bf2b-6730-4ccf-ab97-eb60747b8daf

I was searching Amazon for "metal 3d printers" because I want a 3d printer that prints metal things instead of plastic and these showed up, but the description does not say "Metal" so I'm confused If it really prints things in metal.

 

[Fenixgoon]

No they still print plastic. Just look at the extrusion temperature - 300C. The melting temperature of aluminum is 600-660C (depending on the alloy)

The melting temperature of a basic steel is about 1500C.

This makes powder methods preferable because you don't need to heat a large volume of material at once or use highly alloyed materials to resist stress, heat, and wear all at once. You use a laser or electron beam to selectively melt a very small volume at a time, reducing the overall energy requirements even if the power density is much higher.

Metal 3d printers are going to cost tens of thousands of dollars for even a small print volume

 

[Torn Mind]

Find a machine shop.

 

[deadlyapp]

Find a machine shop.

Even most machine shops don't have metal 3d printers yet.

Search for metal additive manufacturing in your area if you want to find something, but more often than not it's going to be geared towards servicing big companies, not a consumer.

You may be able to find a metal 3d printer that does low melting point metals (eg aluminum, lead, etc) but I haven't looked at consumer grade stuff.

 

[Torn Mind]

Even most machine shops don't have metal 3d printers yet.

Search for metal additive manufacturing in your area if you want to find something, but more often than not it's going to be geared towards servicing big companies, not a consumer.

You may be able to find a metal 3d printer that does low melting point metals (eg aluminum, lead, etc) but I haven't looked at consumer grade stuff.

The implicit point was that if he wanted some thing manufactured in metal at precision specs, that's where to go. Not like they would use or need 3D printers of metal when conventional tools suffice.

 

[deadlyapp]

The implicit point was that if he wanted some thing manufactured in metal at precision specs, that's where to go. Not like they would use or need 3D printers of metal when conventional tools suffice.

Most of the intention around 3d printing is for custom one off items with special features not conducive to metal removal and not large enough quantities for casting. We use them for prototyping things all the time and testing rather than plastics prototyping.

 

[Red Squirrel]

What would be interesting to experiment with is 3D printing with wax. Then cast it in clay or other similar type material, then heat it up to melt the wax out, then pour molten metal into it then break the clay.

I'd probably start with aluminium first since it has a lower melting temp.

 

[Fenixgoon]

What would be interesting to experiment with is 3D printing with wax. Then cast it in clay or other similar type material, then heat it up to melt the wax out, then pour molten metal into it then break the clay.

I'd probably start with aluminium first since it has a lower melting temp.

There are people doing this, at least on the hobby scale. Not sure about industrially but I don't see why it wouldn't work. It's just a new way to do investment casting. Either way, pretty nifty!

 

[Kaido]

I was searching Amazon for "metal 3d printers" because I want a 3d printer that prints metal things instead of plastic and these showed up, but the description does not say "Metal" so I'm confused If it really prints things in metal.

It's confusing. They do sell 3D printers that can "print" metal, but it's not how you think (and they typically go for $90k to $500k!). The "all-metal nozzle" they're referring to in the product descriptions in your link are a special-order feature primarily designed for printing high-temperature plastics like ABS & nylon. Most people print in PLA, which typically use a PTFE-lined nozzle (think non-stick like Teflon) so that the plastic doesn't get stuck in it (they work like hot-glue guns). An all-metal nozzle lets you heat it up REALLY hot for hi-temp plastics & composite PLA's. So they DO make metal-filled composite PLA's, such as this steel-infused wire:

Steel-filled Metal Composite PLA

With real Steel powder, we've created a metal-filled PLA filament for 3D prints. When polished, it has the same bright mirror finish of real metal.

www.proto-pasta.com

For actual metal printing, they use processes like sintering, SLM (selective laser melting), and wire arc additive manufacturing. There is a workaround for the six-figure cost, however, which is to use a print service like Shapeways. I use them for projects sometimes & they offer a TON of materials, including aluminum (using selective laser sintering) & wax casting: (for brass, brozen, copper, gold, gold-plated brass, platinum, rhodium-plated brass, and silver 3D printing)

Shapeways: 3D Printing Materials

Make custom products in plastic, metal, full color and more high quality 3D Printing Materials. Design, Prototype and Sell with Shapeways."

www.shapeways.com

If you want to get into 3D printing on a budget, Mingda has a really nice printer coming out next month that goes for $270 on pre-order:

MINGDA 2023 Newest 3D Printer Magician X2 One-Click Auto Leveling|Ready to Print|Dual Gears Direct Extruder|PEI Flexible Plate

-

3dmingdaofficial.com

Some people get creative & do basic metal casting using their plastic 3D printers:

It's a pretty fun hobby to get into! Thingiverse has over 4 million free things to print:

Thingiverse - Digital Designs for Physical Objects

Download millions of 3D models and files for your 3D printer, laser cutter, or CNC. From custom parts to unique designs, you can find them on Thingive

www.thingiverse.com

I'm currently saving up for a giant 8K "resin" printer: (uses liquid goop & a UV light to make high-resolution prints)

Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K Large High Resolution Resin 3D Printer -please refer to our reseller

Sonic Mega 8K breaks every single limitation for commercial resin 3D printers. You can now have both size and quality in one print, at the same time. From regular tabletop 3D Printed Miniatures to large 3D printed terrain that covers your whole table. Bring all your 3D printing ideas to life...

phrozen3d.com

The detail is pretty incredible:

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[shortylickens]

Does that mean it plays Slayer while it works?

 

[Red Squirrel]

Does that mean it plays Slayer while it works?

In theory, it could!

 

[deadlyapp]

What would be interesting to experiment with is 3D printing with wax. Then cast it in clay or other similar type material, then heat it up to melt the wax out, then pour molten metal into it then break the clay.

I'd probably start with aluminium first since it has a lower melting temp.

They are already doing this on a massive industrial scale. It goes by a lot of names but I usually call it rapid casting.

Most of the time they are 3d machining a foam block which they then use to make a one time use mold, they then make the sand form and then pour.

Same thing can be done for investment casting, they just make a one time ceramic form instead usually.