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The Rapidly Machinable Metal Modeling MaterialProcessingThink of metaMETAL as three-dimensional metal film. You purchase the blocks or "film" from any metaMETAL distributor; "image" the material by creating whatever three-dimensional shapes or designs you want; then send the "exposed" parts to a metaMETAL processing center. A weekly metaMETAL processing cycle will transform your cut parts into solid metal. We then return the finished metal parts to you based on your preferred shipping method. We are currently accepting orders for metaMETAL blocks and processing. Weekly processing cycles are planned to begin once wide distribution of the metaMETAL product is initiated (after the official product release date). Currently processing cycles are scheduled only when sufficient material is on hand to cover the costs of processing. In the future we will post dates on which processing will occur so you can plan ahead. In the mean time, please contact us directly by phone or E-mail regarding the next scheduled processing cycle.Processing CentersThe main metaMETAL processing center is at:
CAM-LEM, Inc. 1768 E. 25th St. Cleveland, OH 44114 Processing CostsPlease see the processing order form or metaMETAL price list for current processing costs. In general we charge one processing cycle per metaMETAL block, with two prices based on the two current metaMETAL block sizes (MM-150 and MM-215). However, because processing is charged separately, you may choose send multiple parts made from more than one metaMETAL block to us for processing on one cycle. In this case all the parts must be readily set up to fit within the bounds of one block of material. For instance, if you send to us eight parts that can all be arranged within a 75 x 150 mm (3 x 6 inch) area, are within the maximum height that can be fit on one shelf (may vary with each cycle), and are properly oriented to insure their survival during processing, then we will charge only a single processing cycle. If the parts are too large to fit within a the MM-150 area, we will charge for the MM-215 area which is about 3.5 times the area of MM-150, and so on.Processing ConsiderationsParts with sections 10 mm (0.4 inch) or more thick take longer to process since it takes longer for the decomposition products of the organic binder materials to diffuse through thicker sections of material. The maximum practical wall thickness is about 15 mm (0.6 inches), although green-state joining can be used to build up thicker parts. A typical scaling factor to account for shrinkage is 1.16. The parts will shrink uniformly in all directions due to densification of the metal. Resulting parts will have some residual closed microporosity (around 3%) but will be gas-tight. The general dimensional tolerance is roughly 0.5%. Improved tolerances are possible by refining the scaling factor to account for the particular batch of material, iteration, and careful control of processing. During processing large overhangs may need support to help reduce slumping. Also, parts should have a flat side they can rest on during processing. For example if a table-shaped part stands on long legs then during processing the body will shrink but the ends of the legs will remain about where they contact the setter plate, causing distortion. It's better to place such a part with its flat side down. These and other issues can be partly addressed through customized fixtures or setters. Due to the unlimited kinds of geometries we may be asked to process, we cannot guarantee that all parts cut from metaMETAL blocks will be processed without incident. Please contact us in advance if you have question about a particular design. After processing , the steel alloy parts can be machined, polished, plated, welded, and tested just like any other metal component.On-line Form DownloadsFor more information, click on the links below to download product literature in Adobe PDF format.
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