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3D MakerJet aims to shorten supply chain with portable powderless metal 3D printing

3D MakerJet is preparing to introduce a wire-feed powderless metal 3D printer to the market later this year.

3D MakerJet Inc. and Zbot/Guangzhou DNSPOWER Design Co. LTD have initiated the co-development engineering to produce the first "powderless" metal 3D-printer prototype for mass production. The design is based on proprietary technology shared between both companies.

 

 

 

 

Powderless metal 3D printing allows for components to be made rapidly and affordably with strength and durability. As many prolific industrial sectors are becoming early adopters, 3D MakerJet is working to craft unique solutions for each of them.

"Cutting costs and lead times is a driving force behind our product's industrial uses," said 3D MakerJet President John Crippen. "Portable wire-feed metal printers will prove to be an indispensable tool on the job -- as in mining, where downtime can be extremely costly. The ability to mount a metal printer on a truck could transform multiple industries, such as electrical repairs and construction."

Powderless metal printing can resolve issues such as equipment failure quickly and inexpensively. Operations could have access to a digital parts library featuring any piece required for production -- storing spares digitally, decreasing inventory costs, and eliminating the lengthy and expensive process of transporting parts.

Similar to other additive manufacturing techniques, powderless metal printing is created by digital data from computer-aided design (CAD) software. Compared to powder-feed methods, the powderless process, using fused filament fabrications (FFF), behaves much like traditional welding and allows for better efficiency of material usage, according to MakerJet.

The preliminary size specifications for this new printer are approximately 3-ft tall by 2-ft 6-in. wide. More details are forthcoming.

Technology to scan humans, too
3D MakerJet also introduced its new "open air" human-size 3D scanner at its Orlando showroom at the end of March. Several celebrities have been memorialized by the company's new product.

The full-body scanner aims to simplify the user experience. The company's model comes complete with a single stand-alone processor, display, and proprietary software. This streamlined processor is in stark contrast to many of the bulky and claustrophobic enclosed scanners on the market. 3D MakerJet's model simply requires the subject to step onto an open, revolving base. The entire process takes less than five minutes.

"It can scan a person or even an engine crankshaft -- feeding the image to our 3D-printer models to print an exact replica," said Crippen.

Source: Learn more at 3D MakerJet.

Published April 2016

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