Binder Jetting

• The binder jetting process uses two materials.
• A powder-based material and binder
• Typically, the binder is in the form of a liquid and the build material in the form of powder
• A print head moves horizontally along the x and y axes of the machine and deposits alternating layers of the build material and the binding material
• Does not use a lot of heat and full color is attainable
• Dispenser filled with powder to ensure proper supply during the actual printing
• First, a layer of powder of a particular thickness value is spread
• Then, the printing head moving along the XY plane deposits the binder at the required locations

Binder Jetting Steps

• The solvent contained in the binder is evaporated by an incandescent lamp before the next layer can be deposited
• Then, powder bed lowered & new powder layer is deposited
• The steps are repeated till the completed part is created layer by layer in a series of steps
• Curing of the binder needs to be done by placing in a furnace
• Unbound particles are removed to reveal the part (de-powdering table). An airgun can also be used to brush the powder off the models
• Temperature, duration depend on factors such as binder, powder material, etc.
• Metal and ceramic parts must undergo sintering and filtration heat treatment or hot isostatic pressing before they can be used