Iro3d lowers the cost of 3D metal printing with a $ 5,000 machine

The US start-up iro3d has begun shipping its first low-cost metal 3D printers, machines now available starting at $ 5000. This is a relatively low price in the metal additive manufacturing market when compared to solutions developed by 3D Systems or EOS. Even newcomers like Desktop Metal and Markforged who want to lower the cost of the technology offer machines that are closer to 100 000 €. But what can we expect from this small iro3d metal 3D printer?

Earlier this year, the manufacturer iro3d presented its first version of its eponymous metal machine. A few months later, they had it tested by a few American dealers. The iro3d has now been delivered to a few companies in the United States. They are further intending to continue their momentum in Asia and Canada. It must also be said that its selling price is very attractive and the results displayed in terms of technical specificities are interesting.

iro3d; a 3D metal printer accessible to all

Like the new Pollen AM 3D metal printer, the iro3d is inspired by an indirect metal fabrication process called MIM for metal injection molding. It uses selective powder deposition technology and sand as support material. Instead of printing a finished metal part in 3D, the machine creates a sand crucible that contains the metal powder. After a sintering step, the crucible is removed to leave room for the desired metal part. Depending on the metal used, the temperature and the duration of the sintering vary. The manufacturer explains that for copper-iron, it takes 2 hours at 1184 ° C.