Mit breakthrough: Fast liquid metal printing revolutionizes industry
The technology of 3D printing is rapidly conquering various sectors of industry, although existing methods have not been free of flaws. However, scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have introduced an innovative printing technique using liquid metal, which opens up new possibilities in the technology industry.
4:39 PM EST, November 15, 2024
Although there are already 3D printers that use liquid metal, previous technologies were limited by their slowness. Specialists from MIT have developed a new method that overcomes these limitations, offering a fast and efficient process.
Scrap metal gets a second life
The innovative method, called LMP (liquid metal printing), involves spreading liquid metal on a surface covered with fine glass beads. This allows for the creation of large elements in seconds, and the metal hardens within a few minutes.
The device designed as a part of this technology features a furnace for melting aluminum, which is an ideal material due to its wide use in construction and low recycling cost. Aluminum remains in a liquid state in a heated chamber, and a special nozzle precisely distributes the metal onto a surface with beads that are approximately 0.004 inches in diameter, allowing quick hardening due to heat absorption by the microscopic beads.
According to the MIT team, LMP technology is significantly faster than previous liquid metal printing methods. This process is also more energy-efficient and allows for the use of aluminum scrap, making it environmentally friendly. Although the precision of models may be lower, the material is solid enough for later processing, such as milling.
Does the new technology have a chance to simplify everyday life?
Skylar Tibbits, an associate professor in the Department of Architecture at MIT and co-director of the Self-Assembly Lab, emphasizes that this innovative technique introduces a new perspective to metal production. Although the method is not without flaws, its speed, scalability, repeatability, and energy efficiency are advantages that could revolutionize modern industry.
Although this technology still requires improvements, scientists are working to enhance the even heating of the nozzle to prevent metal sticking. They are also developing ways to increase the uniformity of prints using larger nozzles.
While the LMP printer is primarily an industrial tool, it has demonstrated the printing of structural elements such as chairs and tables, showcasing its potential. Scientists suggest this technology could find wide applications, for example, in the aerospace and automotive industries, especially for prototype creation.
