Learn Metal 3D Printing: How Metal FFF Works

Step 1: Printing

Metal FFF 3D printing technologies use a process that is nearly identical to conventional FFF printers. The only main difference is that metal FFF printers use a vacuum-sealed print sheet, rather than a conventional print bed.

For users, the printing process includes:

• Slicing parts on a software platform
• Placing a vacuum-sealed print sheet on the print bed
• Initiating the metal 3D printing process
• Removing the printed part after vacuum disengages
• Peeling the “green” part off from the print sheet

Dual Extrusion with MIM Feedstock: These types of printers extrude MIM filament in one nozzle, and ceramic interface filament in the other.

One extrusion nozzle is designed to print MIM feedstock, which is a metal powder bound in a two-part plastic binding material. This is the material used to form the part itself, as well as the supports and raft. For industrial 3D printer metal, Markforged currently offers six different commercial-grade offerings — A2 tool steel, D2 tool steel, Inconel 625, Copper, H13 tool steel, and 17-4 PH stainless steel.

The other nozzle prints ceramic release material. This provides the surface between parts and their supports and rafts. Without this release material, 3D printing metal parts that require supports would not be possible. The sintering process turns this material into powder, which enables the part to be easily separated from supports.