3D-printing robot creates freestanding metal structures
By Stu Robarts
Although the world of 3D printing is hurtling through milestones at the moment, to a large extent the technology still remains in its infancy. If you thought it was all Etsy jewellery and plastic toys, though, think again. Joris Laarman has created a free-standing 3D printing robot that creates beautiful metal sculptures with the graceful brush strokes of an artist.
The Mx3D-Metal robot is part printer, part welder. It can sculpt remarkable, gravity-defying designs using a variety of metals, including steel, stainless steel, aluminum, bronze and copper, without the need for any other means of support. "By adding small amounts of molten metal at a time, we are able to print lines in mid air," explains Laarman on his website.
Printing with metal in this way sounds like something of an art form in itself. Different pieces of software are required to work together in order to drive the robotics, printing and welding combination. Furthermore, different types of 3D lines, like straight, curved or spiral, require different settings in order to be produced.
"3D printing like this is still unexplored territory and leads to a new form language that is not bound by additive layers," says Laarman. "Lines can be printed that intersect in order to create a self-supporting structure. This method makes it possible to create 3D objects on any given working surface independent of its inclination and smoothness in almost any size and shape."
Ultimately, Laarman wants to create an interface that is simple enough for anyone to use, and that can print directly from computer aided design (CAD) software.
The MX3D-Metal will be on display at the Friedman Benda gallery in New York from May 1st to June 7th.
Watch the video below to see the the printer in action.
Source: Joris Laarman
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