Where is 3D Printing headed...

[JohnRBaker]

Here's an interesting item, it appears that even metal-based 3D printing is moving down market, price-wise:

http://www.designnews.com/author.asp?section_id=1392&doc_id=271093

Side note: Michigan Tech is my alma mater, but we never dreamed of anything like this when I was an undergrad there back in the late 60's ;-)

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[KENAT]

So, perhaps putting off getting a 3D printer for so long will pay off for us - by the time we're ready to buy next year we might be able to get metal...

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Let's be clear... the sub $100k (sub $10k?) metal printers use low melting point alloys, which are only good for basic prototyping of look/feel. They're not serviceable in most area you want metal for trials. Any cheap printer that can work with real metals (aluminum, titanium, etc.) and use some form of welding technology are not going to have a very high quality output (at least until they are able to get micron-level welding tips that last). Right now the only real game in town for metal printing uses lasers.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[ctopher]

Production metal printers are coming. Not only are the parts printed, the grain structure is controlled. Several years away from commercial use. Can't say here how I know this. ;-)
There are a couple companies today printing inconel for use on parts up to around 1000 deg F.

Chris, CSWA
SolidWorks 13
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[ivymike]

at first I thought "ooooh, inconel, now I can have the high tem exhaust manifolds I need, at a more reasonable price!" but then I realized that 1000F is only 540C, and my conventional manifold materials already operate successfully in excess of that.