MIT Develops Rapid 3D Printing Technique with Liquid Metal

Liquid Metal Printing Can Produce Large-Scale Parts in Minutes, Aiming for Further Refinements

MIT researchers have developed a new additive manufacturing technique called Liquid Metal Printing (LMP) that can rapidly 3D print large-scale parts like table legs and chair frames in minutes.
LMP involves depositing molten aluminum along a predefined path into a bed of tiny glass beads, which quickly harden into a 3D structure.
The technique is at least 10 times faster than comparable metal additive manufacturing processes, but sacrifices resolution for speed and scale.
Parts produced with LMP would be suitable for some applications in architecture, construction, and industrial design, where components of larger structures often don’t require extremely fine details.
The researchers aim to refine the machine further to ensure consistent heating in the nozzle to prevent material from sticking and achieve better control over the flow of molten material.