CADmore Metal presented a fresh look at 3D printing metal components to the North American market, known as cold welding of metals (KMF). John Carringtonthe company's CEO, claims that CMF produces stronger 3D printed metal parts that are cheaper and faster to manufacture. This includes titanium components that have historically caused problems for 3D printers.
Metals used in 3D printing include aluminum, powdered steel and nickel alloys for some time. Although titanium parts are in high demand in areas such as aerospace and healthcare With its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and ability to print complex geometries, this metal poses a challenge for 3D printers.
Titanium becomes more reactive at high temperatures and tends to crack as the printed part cools. It may also become brittle when absorbed hydrogenoxygen or nitrogen during the printing process. Carrington says CMF addresses these issues.
“Our primary clients tend to be in the energy, defense and aerospace industries,” says Carrington. “One major defense contractor recently switched from traditional 3D printing to CMF because it would save them millions and shave months off prototype and part production.”
How CMF improves titanium 3D printing efficiency
CMF combines the flexibility of 3D printing with new powder metallurgy processes to provide strength and durability to parts made from titanium and many other metals and alloys. The process uses a combination of proprietary metal powder and polymer binders that are fused layer by layer to create high-strength metal components.
The process starts like any other 3D printing project: A digital file representing the desired 3D object guides the actions of a standard industrial 3D printer when laying a mixture of metal and plastic binder. The laser lightly fuses each layer of powder into a cohesive solid structure. Excess powder is removed for reuse.
The difference with CMF is that the raw parts produced at this stage of the process are strong enough for grinding, drilling and milling if necessary. The parts are then immersed in a solvent to dissolve the plastic binder. Then they go into a furnace, where they burn off the remaining binder, fuse the metal particles and compact them into a dense metal part. Surface or finishing treatments such as polishing and heat treatment can then be applied.
“Our cold metal welding technology offers a process that is at least three times faster and more scalable than any other form of 3D printing,” says Carrington. “Prices per part are typically 50 to 60 percent lower than alternative metal 3D printing technology. We expect these prices to drop even further as we scale.”
3D printing with metal powders such as titanium allows the creation of parts with complex geometries.CADmore Metal
The material used in CMF was developed Materials for making hatsGerman company. Headmade holds the patent for this 3D printing feedstock, which has been developed for use in the existing 3D printing machine ecosystem. CADmore Metal is the exclusive distributor of metal powders used in CMF in North America. The company can also act as a systems integrator for the entire process, providing printing and sintering equipment, specialty powders, process expertise, training and technical support.
“We provide guidance on design optimization and integration with existing workflows to help customers maximize the benefits of the technology,” says Carrington. “If a turbine company comes to us to produce their parts using CMF, we can either make the parts for them as a service or set them up to manufacture in-house while we supply the powder and support.”
The global 3D printing market is now worth nearly $5 billion and is projected to reach $13 billion by 2035, according to the analytics firm. IDTehExCMF's arrival is timely. CADmore Metal just opened a branch in North America first CMF application centernearly 280 square meters (3,000 square feet) facility in Columbia, SC Carrington says a larger facility will open in 2026 to make room for more materials and equipment.
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