DARPA Flying Missile Rail

[ORAC]

Thanks for the article. No build times stated (including cooling times!)

no vacuum and 100 times faster than current sintering.

https://www.desktopmetal.com/products/production/

"Breakthrough Single Pass Jetting (SPJ) process delivers speeds up to 8200 cm3/hr–100x faster than laser-based systems. With zero-tooling needed.. The Production system is based on a new approach to metal 3D printing—Single Pass Jetting (SPJ). Created by the inventors of the binder jetting and the single pass inkjet processes, Single Pass Jetting builds metal parts in a matter of minutes instead of hours."


https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/25/de...metal-objects/

"Desktop Metal calls its core technology “microwave enhanced sintering.” The company’s printers put down layers of metal and ceramic powders that are mixed in a soft polymer. The cartridges and alloys that work with the printers are made by Desktop Metal and other major providers in additive manufacturing. Once a mixed-media item is printed, it goes into a furnace where it is rapidly cooked. Heat burns off the polymer. Gases are filtered by charcoal. Meanwhile, the metal is fused together but at a temperature that won’t make it melt and lose its shape. Wherever ceramic was laid down in a printed design, metal remains separated and doesn’t fuse. The pieces created by Desktop Metal machines can be separated by hand...."

[unmanned_droid]

Originally Posted by ORAC

no vacuum and 100 times faster than current sintering.

https://www.desktopmetal.com/products/production/

"Breakthrough Single Pass Jetting (SPJ) process delivers speeds up to 8200 cm3/hr–100x faster than laser-based systems. With zero-tooling needed.. The Production system is based on a new approach to metal 3D printing—Single Pass Jetting (SPJ). Created by the inventors of the binder jetting and the single pass inkjet processes, Single Pass Jetting builds metal parts in a matter of minutes instead of hours."


https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/25/de...metal-objects/

"Desktop Metal calls its core technology “microwave enhanced sintering.” The company’s printers put down layers of metal and ceramic powders that are mixed in a soft polymer. The cartridges and alloys that work with the printers are made by Desktop Metal and other major providers in additive manufacturing. Once a mixed-media item is printed, it goes into a furnace where it is rapidly cooked. Heat burns off the polymer. Gases are filtered by charcoal. Meanwhile, the metal is fused together but at a temperature that won’t make it melt and lose its shape. Wherever ceramic was laid down in a printed design, metal remains separated and doesn’t fuse. The pieces created by Desktop Metal machines can be separated by hand...."

Yeah, but you need a vacuum or another gas to prevent impurities during the sintering process.

Ans as for the stated build times and what they do and do not include, well throwing around things like factors of a hundred gets my spidey senses tingling.

I look forward to seeing where this goes.

[riff_raff]

That Desktop Metal machine is limited to a part size of around 13". And if the finished part requires close tolerance interfaces, it will probably need to be finish machined using conventional CNC processes after being sintered.

[ORAC]

Less than that, 10" x 6.7" x 6.7" post sintering. But remember this is their first model and is designed for studio use and to fit through an office door. It's the technique, not the machine that is of interest. They claim it doesn't leave support material to be removed and parts can be finished by bead blasting.