Imagine if you could use a cheap plastic 3D printer to make high-strength metal parts. This technology uses a special metal powder that acts like plastic during the printing phase and then hardens into solid metal through heating. It turns expensive, slow metal printing into a fast, affordable process for making thousands of parts.
Metal 3D printing is currently too expensive and slow for mass production, limiting it to prototypes. High machine costs and a small selection of materials prevent wide industrial adoption.
A patented metal feedstock and process that allows standard plastic 3D printers to produce metal parts. The project expanded the material library to include 8 qualified/project-based alloys and several beta materials.
If you are a component supplier dealing with high tooling costs for metal parts — this project developed a sinter-based printing process that allows for series production of over 100,000 parts with cost savings up to 90%. This enables complex geometries without the usual high CAPEX of metal AM.
If you are a manufacturer dealing with a limited selection of 3D printable metals — this project developed a feedstock system supporting Inconel 625 and Titanium-Alumind Ti4822. It allows for the creation of complex, high-performance parts using existing plastic-based hardware.
If you are a tool maker dealing with the high cost of prototypes and small batches — this project developed a process using Tool Steel M2 and H13. It reduces the initial investment (CAPEX) by approximately 95% by utilizing cost-efficient plastic AM machines.
The technology reduces CAPEX by approximately 95% because it adapts the process to use cost-efficient plastic AM machines already on the market.
Yes, the process is designed for series production and can provide cost-saving potential of up to 90% when scaling to larger series of more than 100,000 parts.
The ColdMetalFusion (CMF) approach is a patented 3D printing process developed by Headmade Materials.
Fully qualified materials include Stainless Steel 17/4PH, Tool Steel M2, Inconel 625, and Titanium-Alumind Ti4822.
Based on available project data, beta materials like Tungsten-Carbide and Tool Steel H13 are expected to be released within 6 to 12 months of the testing phase.
The project is led by a single SME, Headmade Materials GmbH, with a 100% industry ratio. This lean structure indicates a highly focused commercial drive, moving directly from development to market application without the slower pace of academic partnerships.
Contact Headmade Materials GmbH regarding CMF feedstock and machine qualification.
Contact us to find compatible plastic AM hardware for CMF metal feedstock.
