WEBINAR: How Can You Use FDM to Print Ceramics and Metals?

When most people think of 3D printing, the process that comes to mind is FDM, or Fused Deposition Modeling. An extrusion-based method, FDM requires just a build plate, an extruder (or multiple) and a filament for users to print their part layer by layer. Thermoplastics are by far the most used materials for the process, in particular PLA, PETG, and ABS as they are easy to print with, especially for beginners. This is understandable as polymers can easily be made into filament form. However, these are not the only materials that can be used. Though metals and ceramics are usually thought of in terms of technologies like powder bed fusion and material jetting, both are also available as filaments, making them compatible with FDM printers. They are attractive because they have many superior physical properties compared to polymers such as higher durability and resistance to heat. This also helps for those who want to use FDM for more industrial applications, especially in engineering and aerospace. But how does the technology work? What do you need to know in order to successfully print with ceramic and metal filaments? 3Dnatives webinar “How can you use FDM to print Ceramics and Metals?” took place on June 22nd at 4PM CEST (10AM EDT). We were joined by Nanoe, a leading manufacturer of ceramic and metal filaments compatible with most FDM printers on the market, and Novadditive, a specialized center dedicated to providing easy access to on-demand and customized ceramic parts. Nanoe launched its brand Zetamix back in 2018, offering ceramic and metal filaments. The webinar covered the technology and the 3D printing processes, including debinding and sintering, for ceramic and metal FDM printing and case studies, followed by a Q&A. You can find the replay of the webinar below.

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