Daimler funds the development of a large-scale 3D printer for metal January 15

A giant laser sintering printer with a tiny 20 micron layer thickness.

The German automaker Daimler AG has funded a research partnership between the Fraunhofer Institute of Laser Technology and the German company Concept Laser. The result was the X line 1000R system with a build volume is 630mm x 400mm x 500mm (23.6 inches x 15.7 inches x 19.7 inches) and a layer thickness of 20 to 100 microns.

This would be a significant achievement for a plastic or resin printer, but it’s remarkable considering that this is a laser sintering printer for fusing powdered metal. The machine was developed to aid in the production of complex metal parts that are traditionally made using a time- and money-intensive sand casting process.

Via Design News

Posted in 3D Printing, Taylor Gilbert, Technology by Taylor Gilbert | Comments are off for this post

Make your own stuff using: 3D Printing

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2 Responses to “Daimler funds the development of a large-scale 3D printer for metal”

  1. rob Says:
    January 17th, 2013 at 8:09 am

    Question : What is the price of this printer??? Is it available to consumer and private designers?

  2. Taylor Gilbert Says:
    January 23rd, 2013 at 2:01 am

    I don’t know this as an absolute fact, but I think it’s fair to say that this will not be available to the public for awhile yet. This was developed specifically for automotive production.