Binder Jet Metal 3D Printing Technology

2023-12-20

Binder Jet Metal 3D printing, an additive manufacturing process, produces parts by fusing together metal particles layer by layer to form a metal part. It is often chosen as an alternative to MIM because it can produce parts with the strength and durability of metal while also taking advantage of the design freedoms afforded by 3D printing.

It can produce complex designs including lattices and topology-generated structures, both which are impossible to manufacture via traditional MIM.

Advantages of Metal 3D Printing

Metal 3D printing is advantageous because it can produce high-performance, complex metal parts that are suited for a range of end environments.

Binder Jet Metal 3D printed parts are isotropic, meaning they have even, multi-directional strength, and have the superior mechanical properties of metals like aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, Inconel, tool steel, and stainless steel-bronze composites.

3D metal printing can also be used to combine multiple assembly components into one part. This typically results in a stronger structure by reducing the points of failure introduced by threads and inserts.

With metal 3D printing, CAD file information is sent directly to a printer meaning parts are typically cheaper and faster than producing machined metal parts. MIM parts have overhead costs like tooling set-up and longer processing time.

Most 3D print metal parts can be turned around in less than a week with high efficiency.