3D Printed Metal Coping

3D Printed Metal Coping

With the development of 3D printing technology, the 3D printed metal coping is gradually replacing the traditional wax molding, investing and casting process to the more convenient and accurate 3D design and printing technology.  

How to 3D print a metal coping?

Creating a metal coping from powdered metal might seem like magic, but the basic process is straightforward. The equipment’s software “slices” the 3D digital coping image (from the scanned model) into hundreds of extremely thin layers (usually thousandths of an inch). Each layer is translated into digital information that drives the motion of a laser. The 3D printer holds a tray on which is spread a fine layer of granulated metal such as chrome-cobalt. A laser-beam traces the 2D shape of the first layer onto the powder, operating at a temperature high enough to sinter or melt the powder into a fully dense, flat shape. Another layer of powder is then spread smoothly over this part. When the laser runs again, it not only traces the shape of the second layer but fuses the powder precisely to the first completed area, and so on, building or printing the part in a matter of minutes. Any loose (non-sintered) metal is swept away to be used again, so the process can be quite efficient for raw material use