A Low-Cost Open-Source Metal 3-D Printer
By Paul Mignone
The technical progress in open-source 3D printers (e.g. the RepRaps) in recent years has skyrocketed. Until recently, most of this progress has been limited to 3D printers that produce only polymer or resin based products. The lack of an open-source metal 3D printer means $$$$ for those that want to produce metal components.
Well, not anymore…
A group of researchers at the Michigan Technological University have developed (what appears to be) the first, low-cost, metal 3D printer. The open-access paper is freely available, and provides information on the bill of materials, electrical and mechanical design schematics, as well as basic construction and operating procedures. More information on the printer can be found on it’s appropedia page.
The printer is basically a modified version of the Rostock delta design, using a gas-metal arc welder to deposit the metal. The initial design has already been able to produce functional metal parts, and costs less than $2000 to make. This is AWESOME news for researchers looking to produce higher-strength components for their next experiment.
To put it in perspective, commercial metal printers start at around $500,000!
I know what I’m building next ;-)
Image Source: http://www.appropedia.org/Open-source_metal_3-D_printer
