3D printing metal

University of Pittsburgh Awarded Grant to Improve 3D Printing of Tungsten Carbide

Carbide Parts provided by General Carbide Corporation (photo chredit University of Pittsburgh)

Carbide Parts provided by General Carbide Corporation (photo chredit University of Pittsburgh)

My alma mater in home town Pittsburgh continues its research in additive manufacturing. One of its latest projects involves evaluating the effectiveness of binder jet 3D printing technology to produce robust tungsten carbide parts. Researchers hope that binder jet-based 3D printing will overcome a challenge often encountered in fusing layers by “energy beam-based 3D metal printing” which can cause part failure due to rapid heating and cooling.

Pitt’s industry partner is General Carbide which is located in Pennsylvania. While the partners don’t specifically identify the 3D printer being used, researchers can be seen gathering around an ExOne (headquartered close to Pittsburgh) printer, so that would be a logical choice. Good luck Panthers.