Best 3D Printer that uses Metals as Filament?

[MasonGerald]

Can anyone provide any feedback on 3D printers that use metal filament? I really want to get one, but most of the reviews and such that you find on the net are for plastic printing printers. I'm willing to spend upwards of $5,000 if I can get one that can print in more than one metal. Does something like that exist?

[Marcus]

The problem is the complexity of Laser Synthering printers, I am not aware of any (new) metal printers in that price range.
I'd recomend the lost-PLA-casting method for metal objects, or prototyping with plastic, later letting shapeways or another service print it in metal.

Good luck finding a printer!
Keep in mind that metal powder needs careful handling!

[Compro01]

You may find this thread on the reprap forum useful.

http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?1,68431,68461

[MasonGerald]

The problem is the complexity of Laser Synthering printers, I am not aware of any (new) metal printers in that price range.
I'd recomend the lost-PLA-casting method for metal objects, or prototyping with plastic, later letting shapeways or another service print it in metal.

I'm not familar with the lost-PLA-casting method. What exactly does that mean? Do you print a cast in plastic and then use that with metal to make a metal object?

[Marcus]

Yes, you print a PLA model, put it into a bucket with sand/clay, and pour hot yummy molten metal into it.
The PLA will melt, is mostly non toxic, and you can produce metal parts in your back yard or driving lot.
At least for some applications it's easier and less dangerous.
http://3dtopo.com/lostPLA/
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NFnfLsr...%3DNFnfLsrSuAM

[MasonGerald]

Very interesting. Can the PLA be reused anyhow after this is done or is it just thrown out?
Mason

Yes, you print a PLA model, put it into a bucket with sand/clay, and pour hot yummy molten metal into it.
The PLA will melt, is mostly non toxic, and you can produce metal parts in your back yard or driving lot.
At least for some applications it's easier and less dangerous.
http://3dtopo.com/lostPLA/
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NFnfLsr...%3DNFnfLsrSuAM

[MysteryAlabaster]

Very interesting. Can the PLA be reused anyhow after this is done or is it just thrown out?
Mason

I'd like to imagine that because the PLA is a plant-based material, it would vaporize on contact with the molten metal...

I don't think you can reuse the plastic, but because you're not using the plastic model, you can just print it at an infill of like 5% or something...

[Tom]

Most of the time the pla is lost or mixed with sand which results in the little that is left being unsuable

[Vanguard]

At this time, I think the only metal printers are VERY very expensive. I think the main technology is laser sintering. I personally feel that there are great possibilities in this area, however, if somebody at a large company, with deep pockets hasn't done something similar, then it would be unlikely that us little guys can pull off anything. Doesn't mean impossible, but very unlikely. It is an area I have some ideas about, just not the $$$$ to try.

[RedSox2013]

Agree Vanguard. I think The metal printers will likely be the last to drop in price, and it may take a lot longer then I would hope. We need some more competition in this area, but having said this, I don't think there is enough demand for such printers from the DUY'ers sicne the prices are so steep. Give it 7-10 years and I think we will see a cheap metal printer that is of awesome quality. At that time 3D Printing will have just about hit it's stride.