3d-printing metal with Binder 3D

© Mechanical department

Last week we paid a visit to Westerbork-based mechanical engineering and manufacturing company GeTech. However known for their design, manufacturing and measurement of check fixtures for the automotive industry, our visit had other purposes.

Already known by some ASTRON and NOVA engineers for their micron level probe measurement equipment, we came to be informed and educated about their advanced metal 3d-printing gear.

In the context of the Industrial 3d-print Cluster for the Northern Netherlands, and in particular the newly formed initiative Binder 3D, we aim to cooperate closely regarding to realizing fully metal 3d-printed prototypes and other relevant parts.

3d-printing of metals has taken a flight over the past several years in both the powder bed (mainly Selective Laser Melting) and additive processes. New technologies, more accurate equipment, increasing demand and more types of metals available (including copper) make it increasingly accessible for a larger public.

At GeTech, equipment consists of the Markforged Metal X and supporting equipment. In the Metal X, metal powder appears in the printing material in a very high concentration and is spooled, therefore it can be delivered via a heated nozzle. This means printing is done by the already proven FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) process. Reassuringly, it’s completely without the toxic metal dust usually associated with metal printing. The sintering process that follows causes atomic diffusion. This is due to the heat, the atoms shift slightly and stick together, resulting in an overnight metal part.

Upon completion the components achieve excellent mechanical properties and enormous rigidity in all directions. This technology allows the creation of unique geometry.