Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a new additive manufacturing technique for printing a table leg or a chair frame in just minutes using liquid metal.

According to the researchers, the technique, dubbed liquid metal printing (LMP), involves depositing molten aluminum along a path into a bed of tiny glass beads. The researchers explained that the aluminum will quickly harden into a 3D structure ready for use.

To accomplish this, the team built a machine that melts aluminum, holds the molten metal and then deposits it at high speeds through a nozzle.

Source: MIT

In the lab, the researchers determined that although LMP is at least 10 times faster than similar metal additive manufacturing processes, it has its limitations. Among those is that the technique sacrifices resolution for speed and scale.

As such, the team demonstrated how components made with LMP could be combined with high-resolution processes and other materials to create usable furniture. Further, the researchers found that LMP is appropriate for assorted applications in architecture, construction and industrial design, wherein segments of larger structures require fewer fine details. LMP could also be used for rapid prototyping with recycled or scrap metal.

“This is a completely different direction in how we think about metal manufacturing that has some huge advantages. It has downsides, too. But most of our built world — the things around us like tables, chairs, and buildings — doesn’t need extremely high resolution. Speed, scale, repeatability, and energy consumption are all important metrics,” the researchers explained.

To see the printing process in action, watch the accompanying video that appears courtesy of MIT.