In most cases, you can recycle quite a bit of metal powder. How much depends on the chemical and physical properties of the powder. In most AM powder systems, a fraction of the powder is actually used for the build. The rest remains in the build … [Read more...] about How much metal 3D printing powder can you recycle?
FAQs
What maintenance is required for 3D Printers?
For the larger professional and production additive manufacturing systems, many additive manufacturing vendors offer 3D printer maintenance programs to ensure your machine runs optimally. These programs also often include phone support, remote … [Read more...] about What maintenance is required for 3D Printers?
FAQ: Can I use Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) for prototyping?
Yes, you can. Depending on part size and quantity, the DMLS additive manufacturing technology may be a good option for prototyping components that will go to production using other manufacturing methods. With large bulkier parts, it may not make … [Read more...] about FAQ: Can I use Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) for prototyping?
What is selective deposition lamination?
The ASTM standards organization has a definition for sheet lamination-- an additive manufacturing process in which sheets of material are bonded to form an object. 3D printing /additive manufacturing continues to evolve, so there are several … [Read more...] about What is selective deposition lamination?
Binder Jetting: What Is It?
The ASTM standards organization defines Binder Jetting as a 3D printing/ additive manufacturing process in which a liquid binding agent is selectively deposited to join powder particles. The printhead strategically drops binder onto a layer of … [Read more...] about Binder Jetting: What Is It?
How is resolution defined in 3D printing?
Resolution is one way of measuring the print quality of a 3D printer. Unfortunately, there is no standard that all 3D printer manufacturers adhere to. Each tends to explain resolution using different parameters. Because 3D printers print in three … [Read more...] about How is resolution defined in 3D printing?
FAQ: Do I require a special location to install a 3D printer?
For a long time it was assumed that only the large 3D printing/additive manufacturing machines, and especially the ones printing with metal materials, required proper ventilation or other efforts to ensure operator safety. These are usually installed … [Read more...] about FAQ: Do I require a special location to install a 3D printer?
3D Printing Food: Is It Possible?
3D printing food? The key question here is why would you want to? You can certainly use a 3D printer to “pipe” food into interesting shapes or designs. Bakeries have been doing this for a couple of years now. It’s great for parties and … [Read more...] about 3D Printing Food: Is It Possible?
ABS Material vs. PLA
PLA (poly lactic acid) and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) are popular thermoplastic materials for personal and professional grade 3D printing systems. When deciding between PLA and ABS material, it depends on your application needs. PLA is … [Read more...] about ABS Material vs. PLA
How fast are 3D printers?
The answer is it depends. Build speed, as it is used in this blog, refers to how long it can take to build a part as opposed to how fast do the mechanical axes supporting the material deposition nozzle, lasers, DLP system or build plate move. … [Read more...] about How fast are 3D printers?