E M E X 2 0 1 6 CAN ANYTHING BE METAL 3D PRINTED? Printing the future – Metal 3D Printing THE POWER TO TRANSFORM YOUR COMPANY We understand that in today’s challenging marketplace, you need a partner that can provide the comprehensive solutions you need to be productive and stay competitive. MAXIEM JetMachining Centers make advanced abrasive waterjet technology accessible to any shop. See the MAXIEM JetMachining Center in action at EMEX in Booth #3067. 36 May 2016 Explore more at WWW.OMAX.COM or WWW.ROADRUNNERLTD.CO.NZ OMAX CORPORATION 21409 72nd Ave South, Kent, WA 98032 Roadrunner Manufacturing (NZ) Ltd Phone: +64 6 322 1575 Email: info@roadrunnerltd.co.nz EN041 Rapid Advanced Manufacturing Limited (RAM) info@rapidman.co.nz, ph: +64 7 557 8554 EN030 SLM in Titanium 64, Stainless Steel, Inconel www.rapidman.co.nz www.facebook.com/ram3dprinting and high tech Manufacturing Yes theoretically, according to Rapid Advanced Manufacturing Limited, anything can be 3D printed but not everything should be 3D printed. Metal 3D printing adds another string to the bow of the designer. Items that are cheap to machine are best being machined, however, for more complex parts, where the designer is limited by what the machinist can do, this is where Metal 3D printing excels. When using conventional machining, the focus and cost is directly related to material removal. The machinist spends time and money on removing material from a blank to make a finished part. To make the part cheaper, the designer must leave as much material in the part as possible so the machinist doesn’t have to remove it. With 3D printing the focus is flipped around the other way. You start with nothing and spend time and money putting material on the part. Therefore, to design for Metal 3D printing the designer must look carefully at the function and loads being placed on the part. Two approaches can then be taken. For an existing part, the designer should look into how to remove unnecessary material. Areas of load and function should be identified and material removed from all other areas. Adding cutaways, hollowing and pocketing leaves the part looking like Swiss cheese, however, with each piece of material removed the cost will decrease. For a new part, the designer should again look at the areas of function and load but they have the ability to only place material where it is needed. This means more scope into how the part looks. Organic shapes, non-uniform sections and hollow areas become possible leading to a part optimised for function and cost using metal 3D printing. RAM has designers available to help you through the process of designing better parts for reasonable cost using metal 3D printing. Come see us Hall 2, Stand No 3014.
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