/diy/ - Do It Yourself

>>1434645
No it's still far away

If you compare that part to one out of a DMLS / SLM/ EBM before post processing it's shit, not to mention with the bigboys the huge array of metals and alloys available.

Yes the SPD part won't warp while printing, but soon as you fire it the chances of it warping and deforming goes up, even DMLS and the other true metal 3d printing machine the parts can and will warp while printing unless proper precautions are taken for supporting structures and topology optimizations. Even MIM process like what desktop metal and markforged metal x is doing has it's flaring flaws when it comes to actually sintering the part, non repeatable warpage and deformation.

True metal printing has already come a huge way to where some small businesses can afford some of the systems, IE this past year Xact metal launched new machines that are around 100 to 150k, formalloy has more affordable machines for businesses, EOS is getting more affordable. I highly doubt metal 3D printing will ever come to the homes, first off other then cost there is the safety consideration the systems that use lasers, use an extremely powerful fiber lasers and in the enclosed build volume they pump out the oxygen and pump in either argon on xeon gas, secondly is the break out phase it's worse then the gypsum and nylon powder based machines just because metal powder is a bit more harmful to the human body, then there is the support equipment like non static vacuum for break out, band saw or something to cut the piece off the build plate then equipment to post process and finish the part and grind the build plate back to being planar, and then comes the sieving and mixing of virgin and non virgin material process.

SLS has a better chance of coming to the homes then metal does.

picture from a part off an EOS before post processing, not mine