metal print possible with mk4?
I serioulsy consider to buy this new MK4 in near future. I know it can print many "plastic" material. But can this version print aluminium, brass or any other metals? Do I need an extra option for it?
Many thanks
William.
Best Answer by Luther:
A number of companies (e.g. Protoplasta in the US) make plastic filaments such as PLA that contain up to about 50% powdered metal. These filaments adopt some, but not all, of the properties of the metal. The metal will affect the print's density such as making it much heavier. An "iron" print may be magnetic. You may be able to treat a surface to give a patina of rust or corrosion. A "metal" print could be conductive. The manufacturer's filament description should tell you what properties a filament will have.
Metal-fill filaments are typically very abrasive. Until hardened nozzles become available, you'd probably need to replace your nozzle frequently. You might kill your regular nozzle after several prints, or it might be ok for a roll or two of printing.
RE:
Aluminium has a melting point of 660°C
brass has a melting point of minimum 900°C
So, NO, it will not be possible
And on metal printers its not only about the temperature, usually its a complete different procedure (selective laser sintering) and an protective (oxygen free) atmosphere is required.
RE: metal print possible with mk4?
ok, so if I understand well your answer, it is only a matter of material as the MK4 with the standard nozzle can do it. Am I right?
RE: metal print possible with mk4?
Thank you James so I am lost because another user told me yes! And I read on internet that it was ok. Is it different material but similar to aluminium, say a kind of composite with similar features of aluminium?
I have read for steel or inox it was definitively different process so I understand that but not for copper, aluminium or brass.
RE: metal print possible with mk4?
A number of companies (e.g. Protoplasta in the US) make plastic filaments such as PLA that contain up to about 50% powdered metal. These filaments adopt some, but not all, of the properties of the metal. The metal will affect the print's density such as making it much heavier. An "iron" print may be magnetic. You may be able to treat a surface to give a patina of rust or corrosion. A "metal" print could be conductive. The manufacturer's filament description should tell you what properties a filament will have.
Metal-fill filaments are typically very abrasive. Until hardened nozzles become available, you'd probably need to replace your nozzle frequently. You might kill your regular nozzle after several prints, or it might be ok for a roll or two of printing.
Whilst you can, as @jw-4 suggests, print a filament with a high metallic content and then post-process it to pure metal the result is probably not going to be what you are looking for; there is considerable shrinkage and it's hard to control fit or tolerance.
What you can do quite easily is prototype parts in plastic and, when you are satisfied with the fit, send the file to a metal printing service for custom printing. I have done this with otherwise unobtainable spares for veteran marine engines and other maritime parts. Most metal printing services prefer STEP files (Prusa slicer accepts them too) so bear this in mind when choosing your design software.
For jewelry or similar you have the option of lost PLA casting, just like lost wax casting but with printed masters.
Cheerio,
RE: metal print possible with mk4?
the answer could be
"Sort of"
https://www.matterhackers.com/store/l/basf-ultrafuse-316l-metal-composite-3d-printing-filament-175mm/sk/MRDKJRRS
this link is for metal filled filament that can be sintered after printing (If I read the details correctly.
info post
https://www.fabbaloo.com/2020/04/the-expanding-world-of-metal-3d-printing-filaments
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE:
The answer is not really but maybe.
There are metal powder filled filaments of different quality grades and for different purposes. The relatively easily usable ones are basically for cosmetic purposes only. PLA with metal infill actually has very poor structural characteristics but it is much heavier than PLA and looks and feels halfway like metal. But even that comes with an asterix attached. To make those filaments look cool you have to sand/polish the finished prints, ideally in a tumble polisher.
If you want to get metal like engineering features out of your print, this is indeed not impossible, however you need even more expensive high infill grade filaments AND some very costly postprocessing equipment, namely a sinter oven and stuff like that. What you do there is you sinter the metal powder into some unified piece again and at the same time remove the plastic largely or entirely. If you have access to some sort of metal workshop with that kind of equipment it might be an option.
In case you are more interested in small intricate metal object for jewelry and such, the better option for you is to look into resin printing. There the method of choice is lost wax casting (and there are special cast resins available for this very purpose) and then to cast your metal object. Some metals, including cool stuff like gold can be worked with rather low tech approaches if I am not mistaken. But you certainly need a place where you can handle molten metals safely (rather not in an apartment).
Mk3s MMU2s, Voron 0.1, Voron 2.4
RE: metal print possible with mk4?
one way to create metal parts on a FDM-printer is described here:
RE: metal print possible with mk4?
Looks like that is only available in Europe.
one way to create metal parts on a FDM-printer is described here:
RE: metal print possible with mk4?
No problem as I will move from Hong Kong to Greece next year so it will be all ok.
RE: metal print possible with mk4?
Just have a look at the process guidelines though. You need some heavy equipement for debinding there and a sinter oven. The process involves large amounts of acid, potential formation of hazardous gases as well as an explosion hazard. If you don't plan to setup a workshop, a printing service could be the better option, especially if you just need a few 3d printed metal parts.
If the postprocessing is no issue for you though, the MK4 should be perfectly capable of printing that material.
Mk3s MMU2s, Voron 0.1, Voron 2.4
RE: metal print possible with mk4?
On my MK3S+, equipped with a nozzle X, I have no issue printing Metalfilled PLA, so no reason to have any issue on the MK4 either.
Until it's fitted with a hardened nozzle on the adaptator or when hardened nextruder nozzle will be available.
( I'm personnaly waiting with the new type hardened )
Below 2 homemade examples :
- a turtle Formfutura PLA Ancien Bronze. A hat has been chemically post processed ( with a simple brush ) to get brown patina, and other got chemically also the greenish aged patina.
- roses printed with colorswap technic, including Metalfilled PLA.
Nota : The weight of the Metalfilled printed parts always surprises the person holding it ( density 3.2 i.e 1.25 ).
