#3DStartup: Fluent Metal and its Powder- and Laser-Free Metal 3D Printing Technology

Metal additive manufacturing brings its share of benefits to the industry, with several processes, all of which are suited for different needs and constraints, falling under its umbrella. While powder-based processes are mainly favored by professionals, others are gaining ground. This month, we’d like to introduce you to a new metal 3D printing technique straight from the USA. Developed by Fluent Metal, this technology deposits metal droplets from an extremely fine wire. It is said to be compatible with a very wide variety of metals, therefore offering greater flexibility. To find out more, we spoke to Peter Schmitt, founder and CEO.

3DN: Could you introduce yourself and your connection with additive manufacturing? How did the idea for Fluent Metal come about?

Hello, my name is Peter Schmitt and I’m the founder and CEO of Fluent Metal. My link to additive manufacturing begins with an early interest in construction, building houses with my father and brother in Germany. Later, I took this drive to create physical structures and worked in sculpture, creating larger-than-life mechanical installations.

The Fluent Metal team

This path took me to the MIT Media Lab where I became more interested in the tools we were using, including additive manufacturing. After a number of different chief design officer roles, including at Desktop Metal, I saw an opportunity to approach the change of metal additive manufacturing in a novel manner, overcoming many of the challenges that limit the technology today. This is what we founded Fluent Metal to do.