Stereolithography and similar resin-based 3D printing processes are known for building detailed, high-resolution parts in polymer. Now, Incus is leveraging many of the same benefits for metals, with a new process that combines photopolymer resin and metal powder.
Incus, a spinout from ceramics 3D printing company Lithoz, unveiled its Lithography-based Metal Manufacturing (LMM) process at Formnext 2019. Dr. Gerald Mitteramskogler, CEO, explained the process to me.
The key to LMM is its feedstock: photopolymer resin filled with metal powder. Unlike most SLA resins that are liquid during the printing process, this material remains solid but spreadable within the 20°C build chamber. “It’s a consistency like butter,” Mitteramskogler says.
