In the AM industry, we often talk of accelerated printing rates and the shortening time it takes for a part to go from a CAD model to a physical structure in the printer, but the focus on this specific (though vital) step in the production chain can sometimes obfuscate how long it takes to go from design to a truly finished, industry-ready component. In short, it is rare for a metal part to be considered finished as soon as it comes off the build platform.
XJet, a specialist in material jetting solutions for metal and ceramic materials, calls this phenomenon the gap between “print complete” and “production ready”. “The metal AM industry has become adept at showcasing the moment a build completes—the satisfying image of a pristine part emerging from a powder bed or the smooth surface fresh off a print platform,” the company elaborates. “Technology specifications typically highlight build volume, layer thickness, laser power and material options, but what happens in the hours, days or weeks after printing receives far less attention in presentations and capability brochures.”
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