"We can 3-D print myriad plastic goods, fabric for apparel, burritos, candy, and perhaps in the not-so-distant future, human organs. Metal–the material that forms the skeleton of any city, building, or car–has been less accessible. Now, a collaboration between Dutch designer Joris Laarman and software company Autodesk has yielded something groundbreaking: an affordable technique for printing large metal structures, called MX3D-Metal." FastCompany
Check out the following two great articles on this fascinating new technique. 3D Printing has been in the news heavily in recent years but now it is getting more interesting with freeform 3D printing metals with the aid of robotics.Dutch designer Joris Laarman developed this new technique that is more cost effective and scalable than current SLM methods allowing for the possibilities of using it in metal structures from art, architecture, and structural to automotive and space. The technique was a collaboration with Autodesk and an amazingly creative team member of mine, Maurice Conti. Technology like 3D printing is truly amazing and new additive manufacturing techniques, breakthroughs, and real world products are occurring faster and faster. This is an exciting time.
How Autodesk Helped Create An Incredible New Technique For 3-D Printing Metal In Midair –FastCompany
3D-printing Robot by Joris Laarman Draws Freeform Metal Lines – Dezeen
"We've figured out how to 3-D print plastics, fabrics, and even candy. But so far, we haven't had a method for printing large metal objects at an affordable price."
"Joris Laarman's MX3D-Metal method combines a robotic arm typically used in car manufacturing with a welding machine to melt and then deposit metal, to create lines that can be printed horizontally, vertically, or in curves without the need for support structures."
