Smith Metal Products Adds 3D Binder-Jet Metal Printing Capability
April 1, 2021
Smith Metal Products has added 3D Binder-Jet Metal Printing capability so customers can evaluate and verify their product run utilizing a MIM-like process without the cost of building a test mold.
"Smith Metal's 3D Binder Jetting is the only form of metal powder 3D printing where a part is fully formed before thermal energy is used to sinter or fuse the metal particles," said a company spokesperson. "This ensures that the final part's micro-structure is correct to obtain high quality functional and performing parts. Binder jetting uses a liquid binding agent and is sprayed onto a thin layer of powdered metal particles. Repeating this one layer at a time, the resulting prototype parts are then cured and sintered at high temperatures, creating the final part. Just like Smith Metals MIM parts, 100% of the binder is removed during the sintering process."
The spokesperson continued, "Printing prototype parts is faster and more versatile versus producing expensive test molds for metal injection molding or CNC machining costly prototype parts. Lead time for these prototypes is reduced substantially and allows customers to make adjustments quickly before the final MIM mold is established."
Available part materials for this new prototype capability include all those available in Smith Metal's standard MIM offering. These include low-alloyed steels, stainless steel, most ferrous metals and titanium.
Available part sizes range up to 3" long by 0.25" thick and up to 100 grams in weight. A Smith Metal's expert can provide free basic Design for Manufacturability (DFM) recommendations to help customers optimize their part designs for MIM production. Parts suitable for MIM processing include those that have annual volumes of 10,000 pieces up to several million. Finished parts are net shape accurate with in-house finish machining available for closer tolerance features. Suitable MIM part candidates include firearms, defense, medical, dental, orthodontics, computer, aerospace automotive, appliance and recreation applications.
A demo of the 3D Binder Jet prototype process can be viewed at www.smithmetals.com.
For more information contact:
Smith Metal Products
15045 Per Road
Center City, MN 55012
651-257-3143
sales@smithmetals.com
www.smithmetals.com
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