3D-Printing Meets Heavy Metal
Not the music genre, the substances
The European Space Agency has unveiled plans to "take 3D printing into the metal age" by building parts for jets, spacecraft and fusion projects.
The Amaze project brings together 28 institutions to develop new metal components which are lighter, stronger and cheaper than conventional parts.
Additive manufacturing (or "3D printing") has already revolutionised the design of plastic products.
Printing metal parts for rockets and planes would cut waste and save money.
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I will be amazed if additive manufacturing of metal can approach the capabilities of subtractive manufacturing for years and years.