3D Printing Technology with Metal Materials

Dear Colleagues,

The modern state of technology allows for the manufacturing products and devices, thanks to which automatization and also simplification of the whole manufacturing process is possible. The current development of 3D printing technology brings with it possibilities of very fast prototyping of intricate constructions as well as those constructions which previously were considered as impossible to produce using earlier technologies. Thus, 3D printing technology enables us to start to produce details in piece or small-lot production with a very high accuracy. Instead of a production line, multiple materials for the processing of non-standard dimensions, and a large amount of post-processing waste, in 3D printing technology it is possible to use one printing device—a printer and material in the form of metal powder.

Thanks to 3D printing technology, it is possible to manufacture almost any element. It is possible to print a prototype of a new construction in a very short time. The only limitation is the printing technology, i.e., the volume of the printing workspace and the type of material with which the product is printed (properties, granulation, price).

The 3D printing technology allows us to optimize the construction in terms of mass reduction while maintaining the strength of the printed products, which is required by the constructor.

Software supporting CAD design combined with the possibilities of 3D printing allow the optimization of filling details as well as optimizing their mass while maintaining the criterion of their mechanical strength. For example, the technology of Selective Laser Melting (SLM) allows us to produce precise and homogeneous elements from metal powders. During the SLM printing, metal parts are created based on computer spatial data from CAD applications in a layered, incremental manufacturing process. Generally, there are no limits in the design, and 3D printing ensures high speed and high accuracy.

This Special Issue is an invitation to submit original articles on the following topics:

• Printing parameters.
• Accuracy of shape and dimensions of printed products.
• Application of 3D printing in medicine/industry.
• 3D printing in scientific research.
• Hazards in 3D printing.
• Heat treatment after 3D printing.
• Design for 3D printing, DfAM (Design for Additive Manufacturing).
• Low-emission 3D printing technology.
• Prototyping with the use of 3D printing.
• Optimization of mass and mechanical strength.
• Tribological research.
• Economics of using 3D printing technology.
• Metal powders and their properties.
• Postprocessing.
• Design and optimization of cellular and frame structures printed in 3d technology.
• Data formats for 3D printing.
• Surface layer in products printed in 3D technology.

Prof. Dr. Piotr Kurylo
Prof. Dr. Radovan Hudák
Guest Editors

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