If you've been keeping up with 3D printing news at all, you're probably pretty familiar with metal 3D printing by now. It's one of the fastest-growing sectors in the industry; just about every major 3D printer manufacturer is scrambling to keep up with the rapidly developing metal technology. Not only is it becoming less expensive and more accessible, but material capabilities keep expanding, with new metals and alloys being introduced on what seems like a weekly basis by certain companies.
Wire-feed additive manufacturing isn't unheard of, but at this point it's still very rarely used due to a number of limitations. (You can read a nice overview of wire-feed additive manufacturing here.) Many experts agree that it has a lot of potential, but so far it's been pretty much stuck in the research and development phase. According to 3D MakerJet and ZBOT, however, their new printer is going to be an "industry first" that will to drag powderless wire-feed printing into the light.
"On site, on the job, these printers have the potential to eliminate the high prices and long lead times of back-ordered, hard-to-source and even obsolete parts," said John Crippen, 3D MakerJet President. "The market for metal printing is continuing to grow and 3D MakerJet is poised to introduce a true breakthrough."
That's about all the information we have right now, but if the printer is scheduled to be released this year, then more details should be forthcoming very soon. 3D MakerJet also has a few other products that should be coming soon, including a full-body 3D scanner and a candy 3D printer. Discuss this new prototype and impending release in the Powderless Metal 3D Printer forum over at 3DPB.com.
