Update on Vader molten aluminum DIY metal 3d printer - now debugging with gallium

Vader is under development, now they are testing the printhead with gallium which melts at low temperatures (30 C) and then they will continue with molten aluminum (at 800 C).

Introduction to Vader:


http://diy3dprinting.blogspot.com/2013/10/vader-diy-3d-printing-with-molten.html

They also released mock-up of their Mark 1 unit:

The Mark I will be the first production machine. It will be built in very low volumes and sold to technically capable development customers who will help us improve the product,. With the lessons learned from development, the company will create the mass production successor.

Estimated Sale Price: $400,000
Estimated Release Date: Q1-Q2 2014

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VADER - DIY 3d printing with molten aluminum

They are still in prototype development stage but idea is great! It prints in solid metal with jet deposition of molten aluminum droplets. I hope they are hugely successful!

Prototype One Initial specs:

Liquid metal jet printed aluminum

Build volume: 250 x 250 x 250 mm

Resolution: 50 um

Build Speed: 20 mL/h

Power Requierments: 15 amp 120v

Weight: ~54 kg

You can see the short interview with them in video embedded in this post: http://diy3dprinting.blogspot.com/2013/09/video-form-maker-faire-2013-about-cool.html


http://www.vadersystems.com/


Update (1.2.2014):

they are now testing the head with gallium:

http://diy3dprinting.blogspot.com/2014/02/update-on-vader-molten-aluminum-diy.html

Video of 50 micron aluminum droplet jet printing

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