Feb.20, 2014

In May 2013 Petr Novikov, Saša Jokić from the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) and Joris Laarman Studio in the Netherlands unveiled Mataerial 3D printer, a device that prints object on any given working surface independently of its inclination and smoothness, and without a need of additional support structures. By using a super fast curing resin with a multi-jointed robotic arm, the printer, now called 'MX3D-Resin', is able to create organic shaped objects by making 3D curves instead of 2D layers.

Now - nine months later, in collaboration with ACOTECH, the Dutch designer has developed a new project - MX3D-Metal. Using an industrial robot, together with an advanced welding machine, the MX3D-Metal printer can print with metals, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminium, bronze or copper without the need for support-structures.

By adding small amounts of molten metal at a time, the MX3D-Metal is able to print lines in mid air. The team uses different types of software that work closely together to control the welding torch on the robot arm.

They are also developing different kinds of print heads and printing strategies for the different kinds of metals. Aluminum, for instance, melts very different from stainless steel; and vertical ,horizontal or spiraling lines require different settings. So the printer might need to adjust pulse times, layer height or tool orientation during a print. All this information is being incorporated in the software.

Unlike the other 3D printers, the process can take a very long time as the metal needs to partially cool before it can be built upon. But this method can create structures of almost any size and shape and it could lead to a new form language that is not bound by additive layers.

The project is supported by Autodesk. Watch the video below showing metal printing in action.

via Core77

Posted in 3D Printers

 

 

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BlazakoV wrote at 2/23/2014 3:26:04 AM:

Yea, "3D printer"... New name for good, old hardfacing cnc machine :)



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