MIT's liquid metal printing revolutionizes 3D manufacturing
The technology of 3D printing is rapidly advancing across various industrial sectors, although existing methods have presented some challenges. However, scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have introduced an innovative printing technique using liquid metal, unveiling new opportunities in the technology industry.
15 November 2024 15:39
There have been 3D printers that utilise liquid metal, but previous technologies were limited by their slow pace. Specialists at MIT have devised a new method that overcomes these hurdles, offering a fast and efficient process.
Scrap metal gets a second life
The innovative method called LMP (liquid metal printing) is based on distributing liquid metal over a surface covered with fine glass beads. This enables the creation of large elements in seconds, with the metal hardening in just a few minutes.
The device designed as part of this technology features a furnace for melting aluminium, an ideal material due to its widespread use in construction and low recycling cost. Aluminium remains in a liquid state in a heated chamber, and a special nozzle precisely delivers the metal onto a surface with beads approximately 0.1 millimetres in diameter, enabling quick hardening due to heat absorption by the microscopic beads.
According to the MIT team, LMP technology is considerably faster than previous liquid metal printing methods. This process is more energy-efficient and allows for using aluminium scrap, making it an environmentally friendly approach. Although the precision of models may be lower, the material is robust enough for subsequent 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, emphasises that this innovative technique offers a new perspective on metal production. He highlights that, despite not being flawless, its speed, scalability, repeatability, and energy efficiency are advantages that could transform modern industry.
While this technology still requires further refinement, scientists are working to improve the even heating of the nozzle to prevent metal sticking and develop methods to enhance the uniformity of prints with larger nozzles.
Although the LMP printer is primarily an industrial tool, it has demonstrated the capability to print structural elements such as chairs and tables, showcasing its potential. Scientists suggest this technology could find extensive applications, for example, in the aerospace and automotive industries, particularly for prototype creation.
