Micro laser sintering technology to 3D print tiny metal parts

12-14-2013 • http://www.gizmag.com, By Randall Marsh

The new enterprise is developing a new micro laser sintering technology (MLS) for 3D printing tiny metal components to meet the demands of Makers and professionals alike.

Creating small, yet precise, 3D prints isn’t new, researchers at the Vienna University of Technology have even done so on the nanoscale, but those components are made of resin. 3D MicroPrint’s MLS technology boasts layer thicknesses of under five micrometers with metal materials, but Mandy Gebhardt at 3D-Micromac explains, “We have been processing different layer thicknesses in more than 100 projects with customers from around the globe and many industries. The thinnest layers we have used to build parts are 2 micrometers.”

According the Gebhardt, the device is Ideal for the medical, jewelery and watch, aerospace, and automotive industries, with the micro parts market estimated at around US$5 billion annually. 3D printing has an advantage over conventional manufacturing processes for these tiny parts, since the tolerances can be just as refined, but the parts can be far more complex.