Its Mk1 is a molten-metal, drop-on-demand printer—similar to an ink-jet printer—used to create 3D-printed objects made of an aluminum alloy. The standard way of printing 3D metal parts today is to use ...

Now anyone can learn different methods of 3D metal printing by just using their phone, and these professors mean anybody. "One area where 3D printing is finding a space is more in the artistic scene.

Metal 3D printing is viable for making up to about 1,000 parts per year, but not tens of thousands, Farrell said. Chris Averona of Shaler, a mechanical engineer, looked on intently as the 3D metal ...