3d printing materials with different melting points?

[kolleamm]

A 3d printer that could print metal and other materials would revolutionize everything. The only problem is that metals have a really high melting point, so if you try to get a metal hot enough to bind to the other metals in its vicinity it would probably destroy the bonds of the neighboring materials such as plastic that have a much lower melting point. How could this be solved?

 

[jrmichler]

Metal 3D printers are mature technology. This article, dated August 19 2014, discusses printing rocket parts: https://www.designnews.com/design-hardware-software/spacex-reveals-3d-printed-rocket-engine-parts. This article discusses printing complete rockets: https://spectrum.ieee.org/aerospace...gest-3d-metal-printer-is-churning-out-rockets.

And this photo, taken a few minutes ago, shows that I can hold white hot metal in the palm of my hand. The secret is that the white hot steel is in very small particles.

A few sparks can be seen flying off in various directions. That is why I ALWAYS wear google over my glasses and stand off to the side when grinding. This is my slow grinder, running slightly less than 2000 RPM. It's used for rough work.