metal print
Use case at ZF Passau - detailed description
The specialist magazine Ingenieur reports in detail on the production of equipment using metal 3D printing on Multirap M4 Metal:
https://www.ingenieur.de/technik/fachbereiche/3d-druck/basf-und-zf-friedrichshafen-denken-teile-additiv -and-save-enormous-costs
Metal printing unbeatably cheap
FFF / FDM process
With metal filament printing , 90% (by weight) of metal powder is embedded in the plastic.
Printing is carried out as with normal plastic filament, the metal powder is brought into shape with the binder polymer.
The printed component is referred to as a “green body”, and the printed part acquires metal sintering .
The advantages of filament metal printing
Good value for money
- Very good value for money
- Low investment costs (debinding and sintering possible as a service)
- Machines used economically even with low utilization
- also print plastics with low metal utilization
- Material saving (no waste except support material)
geometric degrees of freedom
- Geometries that are difficult or impossible to machine can be printed
- Internal channels possible
- Internal honeycomb structure -> weight savings
Prototypes or small series
- much more efficient than machining and primary forming production , especially for small quantities
- No fixture construction for production (clamping device, mold construction)
- Ideal for non-metalworking companies -> in-house production of metal parts
Handling - occupational safety
- Simple, uncomplicated handling (no disposal of powder, no waste material except supports)
- No expensive disposal waste material
- no metal particles, no risk of dust
post processing
- Rework as with stainless steel possible without any problems
- Simple post-processing already possible on the green part (e.g. grinding)
- Sintered components can be post-processed in many ways (milling, turning, welding, ...)
sintering/debinding process
- Proven debinding and sintering process (BASF Catamold Material)
- external - without investment costs
- alternatively: low-cost systems, eg from Xerion
Multirap M4 Metal - the special printer for metal printing and material combinations
- 4-fold print head specialized for highly filled filaments (metal, ceramics, fibers)
- Heated build space
- High process security
- High precision
- machine safety
Detailed document on metal printing for download:
In it you will find a lot of valuable information, from constructive tips and hints to the technological process to pressure parameters and strength values:
- Construction- Material and Filament
- sintering process
- Printing Notes
- achievable strengths
You can find the document for download here.
