metal 3d printing

one method of metal 3d printing is 

metal powder is poured on a base 

and lasers print a pattern in the metal powder on the base

so that the metal powder solidifies on the base 

and as a structure is 3d printed 

metal powder is poured on the structure 

and lasers print a pattern in the metal powder on the structure 

so that the metal powder solidifies on the structure 

and the process is repeated 

until a metal structure has been 3d printed 

the advantage is more fine detail 

and the disadvantage is slower speed 

another method of metal 3d printing is 

the tip of a metal wire is touching the base 

and the tip of the metal wire is energized so that it melts 

and attaches itself to the base 

and as a structure is 3d printed 

the tip of a metal wire is touching the structure 

and the tip of the metal wire is energized so that it melts 

and attaches itself to the structure 

then the process is repeated 

until a metal structure has been 3d printed 

the advantage is higher speed 

and the disadvantage is less fine detail 

but another method of metal 3d printing could be 

energizing the base 

and focus spraying metal powder in a pattern on the base 

so that the metal powder solidifies on impact with the base 

and as a metal structure is 3d printed 

the metal structure is enegized 

and focus spraying metal powder in a pattern on the structure 

so that the metal powder solidifies on impact with the structure 

then the process is repeated 

until a stucture is 3d printed 

advantages could be both higher speed and finer detail 

energizing the base and structure could be done in various ways: 

electricity, heating, electromagnetism and other options 

and yet another method of metal 3d printing could be 

focus spraying metal powder on the base 

while a laser hits the metal powder as it touches the base 

so that the metal powder solidifies on impact with the base 

and as a metal structure is 3d printed 

focus spraying metal powder on the structure 

while a laser hits the metal powder as it touches the structure 

so that the metal powder solidifies on impact with the structure 

then the process is repeated 

until a stucture is 3d printed 

advantages could be both higher speed and finer detail