3D Printer

Is this even possible? Haven't heard of it? I've heard of casting based on a 3d printed mold (ABS / Photopolymer) before, but not direct aluminum powder printing..

Hi..Can you tell how its possible to use 3D printer for investment casting or lost wax casting. Thank you.

I saw 3D wax printing at a show earlier this year & it looked pretty good. Ther are a number of companies now offering printing like this.

Hi, She!

I'm not sure I understand the question.

Are you trying to use a 3D printer to create a metal based powder?

Or are you trying to use the 3D printer to cast from or print with metal powder?

Mark

Hi, Mark!

I try to use Z406 3D Printer to ''print'' metal powder which is Aluminium powder. It's not 100% pure Aluminium. It's 95%. Do you get it? I'm not sure got people did it before or not. Could you please tell me is it possible to do it? Do you know where can i get the infomation about it??Thank you very much

Don't you need some sort of binder in the powder to 'stick' the model together. The only 3D metal printers I've encountered produced a very fragile 'green' model which then had to be sintered to give it some strength.

Thanks for replying me.. Yes, I need binder which is Zb56 from Z-Corp to 'stick' the powder together..I would like to ask you the only 3D metal printers you've encountered is which model? Is it from Z-Corp? Z-406 3DPrinter?

It was Z-Corp but I can't remember the model.

Hi, She!

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=model+%22powdered+Aluminum%22&meta=

and

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=binder+%22powdered+Aluminum%22&meta=

Good Luck! From what I see in these two Google lists, I think this is possible and you are not in new territory. If you find an answer in here, and it works, let us know.

Mark

Thank you very much for your help..I'll try my best..

Hi Mark,

I mix 50% Al and 50% ZP102 powder. I try to fabricate using ZP406 3D Printer. I discovered that it really works. Since it works, now, i'l try 60% Al, 40% ZP102 powder and 70% Al, 30% ZP 102 Powder. Do you think i should continue with this ratio? Do you know from where i can get these information? Thank you very much..

Hi, she!

At this point, I have no more opinions...except that you have won your first victory in this arena on your own.

By all means, continue exploring this approach. You are getting lots of expert help.

You will, if you continue in this direction, definitely become the "go-to" person in CR4 in this area of expertise.

Mark

What is your end goal.? I have a 3D Zcorp 510 and would not mind experimenting.

Hi She..

Can u tell me why ur tryin this mixtures..? And for which application u want to use it..coz if u knw there are also SLS n SLM technologies which are suitable for metals printing rather than 3D printing.

The "Whizzit uses Al powder with a minimum (?) urethane binder. Result is an excellent part with properties approaching solid metallic Al!

There are 3D printers that will produce parts in metal but not in aluminium. I think they use a copper based alloy.

Z Corp make a 3D printer that will produce a ceramic mould that can be used to cast aluminium parts.

I have also seen demonstrated a 3D printer that produced parts in wax so that they could be used to produce investment castings.

Which was that company and tell me its model if u remembered,3D printer that produced parts in wax which can b used for investment casting...

The Whiz-it is not currently in production. Resumption is unknown.

I saw this at a show in February, I'll have to trawl through the show brochure tomorrow to see if I can find the company. Looking on the web, this company has a 3D wax printer.

Try a Google search for aluminium laser sintering.

www.eos.info seems right if you have the money.

"Hi, i would like to ask one question which is can 3D printer fabricate metal based powder such like Aluminium powder??" NO, But..."

With a "Whizzit" 3D Desktop Printer you can make a semi-flexible plastic mold. This is filled with an aluminum power filled epoxy or similar binder. The result is a metallic gear or other object with good wear characteristics.

This results in a prototype part adequate for testing an assembly prior to manufacture of actual final application.

That's way cool! Too bad the Euro is exhorbitantly high now. Anyone know of any American companies into laser-sintering for metals?