Matsuura Seems to Have Metal 3D Printing Figured Out

By on November 29th, 2016 in printer

Tags: ,

The Lumex Avance-25 3D metal printer from Matsuura
The Lumex Avance-25 3D metal printer from Matsuura

There are many new 3D metal printers on the market, but most of them produce objects requiring significant post-processing. But not Matsuura’s. 

Japan-based Matsuura is one of many new entrants into the field of metal 3D printing. The 500-person company sells several models of a hybrid laser sintering and CNC milling device called the Lumex Avance. 

Here’s the concept: use the familiar powder / laser sintering process to 3D print a metal object in a manner very similar to multiple other vendors. However – and this is the key part of the process – stop 3D printing after each 0.5mm segment of layers and engage an onboard CNC mill to smooth the last 0.5mm printed. I should note that each layer is 0.05mm, so ten layers are printed before milling occurs. 

When the print completes, you will find a metal object that has been completely smoothed by the near-continuous milling process. There is far less post processing required. 

Milled and not milled 3D metal prints from Matsuura
Milled and not milled 3D metal prints from Matsuura

Here you can see an example of how the process works. On the right is a metal object printed without in-process milling, while on the left is the same metal object that’s had the in-process milling occur. See the difference? 

Incredible surface texture on a metal 3D print from Matsuura
Incredible surface texture on a metal 3D print from Matsuura

Here you can see a very elaborate metal print, with smooth surfaces, crisp edges and plenty of detail. That is simply not possible on other 3D metal printers without considerable post processing. 

A hard to see, but interesting 3D print: rough unmilled outside, but smooth milled inside
A hard to see, but interesting 3D print: rough unmilled outside, but smooth milled inside

A key advantage of this approach is that interior features can be successfully milled. If you were to print the entire object and mill it afterwards, you might not be able to gain access to all portions of the object due to geometric restrictions. There are no such constraints in Matsuura’s approach. 

An example injection mold produced directly on the Matsuura Lumex 3D metal printer
An example injection mold produced directly on the Matsuura Lumex 3D metal printer

This means Matsuura’s process is ideal for producing metal molds for injection molding processes. They should be more or less ready to go as soon as they emerge from the Lumex 3D metal printer. 

Currently they support seven different metal materials, but you’re permitted to use other metal powders in the machine. 

Matsuura has been selling machines since 2003 in Japan, and since 2011 in Europe, 2014 in the USA, with 80 units in Japan and around 60 elsewhere. However, note that these systems are not inexpensive: the small system (build volume 250 x 250 x 185mm) is priced at around USD$750K, and the larger machine almost double. 

Matsuura has created a machine that could have a significant advantage over several other 3D metal printers with their technology. 

Via Lumex-Matsuura

By Kerry Stevenson

Kerry Stevenson, aka "General Fabb" has written over 8,000 stories on 3D printing at Fabbaloo since he launched the venture in 2007, with an intention to promote and grow the incredible technology of 3D printing across the world. So far, it seems to be working!