1. Metal Expansion Kit

If you’re running an Ultimaker then get their Metal Expansion Kit. You really can’t beat having all of the correct pieces of the jigsaw at hand before you start your journey into Metal FFF.

2. Virtual brown part analysis 

Running virtual brown part analysis can be the difference between success and failure, so if you have access to FEA software it’s easy to complete this step and give yourself some reassurance that your part will survive the sintering process.

Read more on LinkedIn

Item 2

3. Shrinkage Rate Consistency

Shrinkage rate consistency is better than you might think. As an engineer it’s easy to be sceptical about this, thinking it can’t just always be a constant and that it must be geometry dependent. I should know, I was that sceptical engineer at the outset. 

Read more on LinkedIn

Item 3

4. Easy Post-processing

It’s “Green for Go” when it comes to easy post-processing. The relative robustness to handling, yet soft nature of the material, in the green state makes it the ideal time to do some finishing work.

Read more on LinkedIn

Green Parts

5. If In Doubt, Use a Setter Plate

It will give you a better guarantee of success in your early days of using Metal FFF - and your parts will thank you for it if they are of certain geometries. 

Read more on LinkedIn

With the knowledge I’ve shared in my #MetalThursdays series and these top tips you’re ready to explore the opportunities and design freedoms that exist with Metal FFF compared to subtractive machining. 

Read more on LinkedIn

Whilst this is the last of my weekly posts, it isn’t the end, I’ll be continuing to share my further adventures in Metal FFF. As I mentioned in last week's post, exploring integrated mechanisms is definitely one of the areas I want to get into next.