3D printing services provided by various companies and startups make it easier for you to convert a concept or idea into a solid three-dimensional object. You can avail of the desired 3D printing service to get desired part or prototype without investing in 3D printing machines and materials.
Also, providers create opportunities for you to produce high-quality parts by combining the right 3D printing technology and material. The services provided by these companies and startups can be divided into two broad categories – plastic 3D printing services and metal 3D printing services.
We are making it easier for you to get and customize the metal 3D printing service by answering three frequently asked questions:
- What is metal 3D printing?
- What makes metal 3D printing complex and challenging?
- Why should you avail of metal 3D printing service?
What is Metal 3D Printing and How Does It Work?
Metal 3D printing technologies enable you to create strong, lightweight, and complex parts from digital 3D models. These technologies produce parts by sintering, melting, or welding metal powder. Metal 3D printers initiate the process by spreading metal powder over the build platform.
Subsequently, they use melt and fuse the metal powder using a high-power laser. The machine forms the subsequent layer only it completes the first layer by melting and fusing the metal powder. You can use metal 3D printing machines to produce parts using a wide range of metals and metal alloys.
While using consumer and industrial products, engineers use cost-effective metals like aluminum, titanium, cobalt chrome, and stainless steel. But they use gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and similar precious metals while 3D printing pieces of jewelry.
After the metal 3D printing process, you have to enhance the part’s mechanical properties, dimensional accuracy, and aesthetic appeal by performing the desired post-processing activity – loose powder removal, polishing, media blasting, metal plating, and macro-machining.
You can avail of the online 3D printing service to produce parts using your choice of metal. Also, you have the option to produce parts using several 3D printing technologies – selective laser melting (SLM), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), and electron beam melting (EBM).
What are the Common Challenges or Major Issues in Metal 3D Printing?
Both beginners and professionals find metal 3D printing to be more complex and challenging than plastic 3D printing. They have to overcome several challenges and work on various issues to make a metal 3D printing project successful. Here are some of the major problems you can solve by availing of a metal 3D printing service.
High Cost
Automotive and aerospace companies invest in metal 3D printers to produce strong, complex, lightweight parts. But engineers often find it challenging to schedule multiple builds to 3D-print the metal part on a large scale.
Many enterprises still prefer traditional manufacturing methods to metal 3D printing while planning large-scale production. Also, hobbyists, students, and other individuals cannot afford metal 3D printing machines and materials due to high costs.
Longer Build Time
The build time of metal 3D printing is much longer than the build time of plastic 3D printing. Enterprises have to deploy additional staff to boost print quality by monitoring the process consistently. Many manufacturers still prefer traditional manufacturing methods to metal 3D printing to reduce build time.
Limited Material Options
While using plastic 3D printing technologies, you have the option to choose from a wide range of materials and filaments. But you have to choose from selected metals and metal allows while using metal 3D printing technologies. Hence, individuals often find it challenging to experiment with multiple materials while planning a metal 3D printing process.
Part Density
The quality of the metal part is impacted due to high porosity when you do not use high-quality materials. The high porosity often impacts the density of the part by causing small holes and cavities during the metal 3D printing process. Engineers enhance the part density by monitoring the metal 3D printing process continuously.
Post-Processing
You cannot use or deliver a 3D-printed part once it is removed from the printer. You have to enhance its mechanical property and dimensional accuracy by performing a slew of post-processing activities. The post-processing activities increase metal 3D printing time and cost simultaneously. Also, you need to focus on keeping the metal part intact while applying post-processing techniques.
Why Do You Need Professional Metal 3D Printing Services?
You can address these aforementioned challenges and issues by getting metal 3D printing services provided by various companies and startups. In addition to helping you reduce upfront and ongoing costs, professional metal 3D printing services help you get high-quality metal parts. Here are some reasons why you must avail of metal 3D printing services.
No Upfront Investment
Metal 3D printing is more cost-intensive than plastic 3D printing. You cannot produce high-quality parts without investing in metal 3D printers, metal alloys, and post-processing tools. But can produce the desired part in a cost-efficient way by getting a metal 3D printing service. The services help you avoid upfront investment as well as recurring overheads.
Option to Choose
Leading metal 3D printing service providers have set up large additive manufacturing facilities. They allow you to choose the appropriate 3D printing machines according to your precise project needs. Also, you have the option to choose from a wide variety of metals and metal alloys. Hence, you can customize the metal 3D printing service according to precise project needs.
Scale up Production
As noted earlier, the long build time makes it challenging for engineers to produce the part on a large scale using metal 3D printing technologies. But leading providers produce parts using multiple metal 3D printing machines simultaneously. Hence, they can deliver the required number of parts in a short amount of time without escalating time and costs.
Final Word
Metal 3D printing is a lengthier and more complex process than plastic 3D printing. Metal 3D printing services provided by various companies and startups enable you to leverage complex 3D printing technology without increasing upfront and ongoing costs.
Leading 3D printing service providers allow you to produce parts using multiple metal 3D printing technologies. Also, they improve print quality and reduce delivery time by implementing metal 3D printing best practices. But you should focus on customizing the metal 3D printing service according to the precise needs of your project.
About Aurum3D
We are amongst the major 3D printing service providers in Bangalore, India. We have been providing custom FDM, SLA and SLS 3D Printing services to many major industries including multiple disciplines of engineering. Please feel free to get in touch with us for your custom needs, our 3D printing solutions experts will get back to you within one business day.