3D printing of plastics has gone from being a complex industrial process to a staple and affordable technique for universities, manufacturers, and hobbyists. 3D printing of more exotic materials, like metals, however, has remained out of reach except for those able to bear exceptional start-up and operational costs of additive powder metallurgy systems like SLM (selective laser melting). Recent innovations inspired from the field of Metal Injection Molding, though, have made it possible to 3D print in a wide variety of materials with a conventional FDM 3D printer by using special filaments impregnated with the material of interest: The plastic is then removed (debound) and the remaining material densified (sintered) in an oven, resulting in a pure metal, glass, or ceramic part. Here, I will share my trials and results in performing this process (especially for copper and glass) and how to get started for yourself.
