The latest 3D printing technology to emerge for working with metal materials is MagnetoJet technology from new startup, Vader Systems.

This patent pending MagnetoJet technology is based on Magneto Hydro Dynamics (MHD) or the manipulation of liquid metal through magnetism, and Liquid Metal Jet Printing (LMJP).

In a MagnetoJet machine, such as the Mk 1, aluminum wire is deposited into an 800°C ceramic chamber, where it is heated to a molten state. The molten version is then electromagnetically pulsed to cause a precisely sized droplet to form. The droplets are ejected from a custom ceramic nozzle that is similar to inkjet nozzles in that it deposits large quantities of material quickly.

The Mk 1 will deliver 1000 droplets per second with micron level accuracy. It can deposit aluminum at a rate of 1 lb/hr in a build envelop of 12 x 12 x 12 in. The droplet size is 200 micron. This capability would make the build speed about twice as fast as that of conventional 3D powder bed metal printers. The initial material is aluminum. This metal 3D printer builds 100% dense parts.

CEO Scott Vader’s son, Zachary is a principle developer of the Mk 1. He began working on MagnetoJet technology when he was 18 in 2011. Scott Vader is a 3D printing pioneer in the fiberglass industry.

Noted Scott Vader, CEO, aluminum was an intentional first step, but Vader and his son, Zachary plan to evolve their design to work with additional conductive metals and to use potentially thousands of printing heads within one machine.

The next version, the Mk2, will contain 10 printing heads and produce parts 30x faster than the Mk1. This version should be available in 2018.

Vader Systems
vadersystems.com