Desktop Metal is close to unveiling a commercial 3D metal printer, which if successful could revolutionise manufacturing. Using metal in 3D printing has so far been extremely difficult, mainly because of most metals' high melting point. Desktop Metal uses metal powders combined with flowable polymer binders instead of the extruded plastic commonly used in 3D printing. The printer can print objects up to 1mm thick and weighs just over 3kg. The firm has raised nearly $100m from VCs and the venture arms of GE, BMW and Alphabet.
Desktop Metal is close to unveiling a commercial 3D metal printer, which if successful could revolutionise manufacturing. Using metal in 3D printing has so far been extremely difficult, mainly because of most metals' high melting point. Desktop Metal uses metal powders combined with flowable polymer binders instead of the extruded plastic commonly used in 3D printing. The technique allows metal parts to be printed at temperatures much lower than their melting points. The firm has raised nearly $100m from VCs and the venture arms of GE, BMW and Alphabet.