Powder metal has been used extensively and with great success in the automotive industry. More applications are being discovered for powder metal every day, though, which makes it a near certainty that the adoption of powder metal will continue to shape and drive the growth of many non-automotive industries for years to come.
If you are wondering how other industries might be transformed by the adoption of powder metals, you might be able to catch a glimpse of the future by looking at how powder metal has the fueled growth of the 3D printing industry.
How Powder Metal Changed the Equation
Did you know that the 3D printing industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that is growing at a more rapid pace than most other industries?
That doesn't mean 3D printing is always the best solution, though. Sometimes it still makes sense to use traditional manufacturing methods - such as injection molding - when producing in high volumes.
There are some unique advantages to 3D printing, though, which have fueled this industry's rapid growth:
- Rapid prototyping
- Rapid testing and refinement
- Producing in smaller batches
- Creating unique, complex, intricate, and custom-fit parts
Now add 3D printing in metal to the equation, and these advantages become greatly amplified. The bottom line is that many of the advantages of 3D printing in metal translate into saved time and money by enabling you to get the parts you need right now , or get your products to market faster than your competitors.
3D-Printing in Metal Expanded Markets
Now that it's easier and more affordable than ever to 3D print with powder metal, there are new and expanded markets for 3D-printed metal products around the globe.
For example, there were not that many people who wanted to buy 3D-printed rings made with resin that were rough around the edges, and likely to break within a few weeks of wear. 3D printed jewelry used to be considered novelty jewelry, for this reason.
Now smooth, durable, custom-fit rings with complex and intricate designs can be 3D-printed using a variety of powder metals, expanding the potential market for 3D-printed rings exponentially.
This type of market expansion has happened not only with jewelry, but also with 3D printed metal structural parts, finishing components, tooling, and molds. These 3D-printed metal parts provide the perfect fit, while also being tough, durable, and able to withstand extreme temperatures, as well as repeated temperature fluctuations. This can be important in a variety of applications ranging from cooking and manufacturing to space exploration.
The ability to 3D print in metal for iterative design and prototyping, industrial-scale additive manufacturing, and production in small batches, has fueled not only the 3D printer industry, but also the many industries that are increasingly relying on 3D printing with powder metal to produce parts and products.
Get Help Choosing the Right Powder Metal for Your 3D Printing Job
Mayer Alloys stocks and supplies a full line of the highest quality, non-ferrous metals specializing in tin and lead-based alloys, and lead free alloys for manufacturing and/or fabrication. Buy what you want when you want it and we will ship your material the same day it is ordered in most cases.
Customer service and technical assistance is always available to ensure you are getting the right materials.
