KAST’s MIDAS Lab became the first rural fabrication lab in Canada to house a 3D metal printer.
The Rapidia 3D Metal printer arrived at MIDAS Lab in Trail, B.C. is one of five machines to first come off of the assembly line. Having this type of 3D metal printer will enable users to make complex metal parts in a sustainable way.
The Rapidia 3D metal printer uses a water-based process, which is the fastest and simplest way to 3D print complex metal parts in just two steps. The water-based metal paste eliminates the debinding step, enabling the two-stage Rapidia process to produce most parts within 24 hours. The innovative support system cuts printing time further by avoiding the need to print a metal base plate or most metal supports, saving up to 90% of the metal normally wasted on these elements.
The Rapidia can print a wide range of materials including stainless steel, inconel, tool steel, ceramics, and titanium. It can also be used by a broad range of users from ski and bike part manufacturers to the medical industry, to local industry partners like Teck Metals and Spearhead.
