It is no exaggeration to say that 3D printing could be the most dramatic technical innovation of the 21st century. Applications in diverse areas ranging from medicine and organ research to national defence and firearms are advancing rapidly at the high-end research levels. Until recently, however, the technology has been prohibitively expensive for private applications.
This has changed over the past year or two, though, and there is now a wide variety of affordable 3D printers available for private purchase. These use PLS or ABA plastic filament technology, but the recent launch of two metal 3D printers from Google-backed tech firm DM Technologies look to be opening the floodgates, meaning that 3D metal printing could soon be an affordable option for anyone.
Innovative technology
DM’s new Studio and Production systems were announced last month, and while they are available for preorder now, the first customers will not take delivery till around September. The systems use innovative jetting technologies that make them around 100 times faster than anything that has come before.
Almost $100 million has been poured into the development, with big name backers that include Google, BMW and Lowes. These are all companies that know a good investment when they see one, so it is unsurprising that other tech firms are looking to get involved in the 3D metal printing action.
Affordable options
Any early adopters know that there is a hefty price tag attached to buying innovative technology, and DM’s latest system checks out at around $120,000. However, California-based manufacturing and tech firm Studio Fathom has already spotted a market opportunity, and will be offering affordable 3D printing services using the new technology.
Fathom will be partnering with DM as a service center, sales partner and 3D metal printing service provider, all under one roof.
Driving down the price
The “one stop shop” provided by Studio Fathom will serve to increase the profile of 3D metal printing in the general psyche as a viable manufacturing option. This in turn will encourage further development and investment, inevitably leading to more efficient systems and economies of scale.
Once that snowball is underway, the day when anyone can have a 3D metal printer of their own could come sooner than you might think.