MEBA3D

3D-printed metal components easily and quickly cut from the base plate: with the MEBA 3D bandsaw!

Additive manufacturing is a revolutionary technology that can be used for a wide range of applications. In this blog article, we will look at a specific technique related to additive manufacturing: separating 3D printed steel or metal components from the base plate. So far, it has been difficult to get this technically clean. Often, the manufactured workpieces were damaged in the process. But with the MEBA3D 335 sawing machine, we have developed a simple solution to easily and quickly remove 3D printed parts from the plate. In the following, we will go deeper into the technology of the band saw MEBA 3D 335 and explain how it can also bring an advantage to your production.

Introduction

3D metal printing has seen rapid development in recent years, and for good reason: additive manufacturing offers tremendous planning and design flexibility for the production of various components. These components made of material such as metal, steel, stainless steel or even titanium have high stability, functionality and durability. But how can the high-quality, sometimes filigree metal parts be separated from the base plate after 3D printing without damaging them? One option is costly wire-cut EDM. An alternative is to separate them manually. But it was precisely this idea, that parts are often manufactured with the latest technology, digitally, in the SLM or DMLS process, but these are then separated manually again as in the old days, that spurred the MEBA developers to find a better solution – an economical and contemporary one. The result: the MEBA 3D 335 bandsaw machine.

What is MEBA3D? Here’s a bit of tech stuff…

You’ve probably heard of 3D printed, or additively manufactured, components. But what exactly is MEBA3D? MEBA Metall-Bandsägemaschinen GmbH has already taken the next step before the trend of 3D saws and has developed a new 3D series, or rather a new clamping device that can be easily and quickly attached to and removed from existing machines: the MEBA3D 335 / 510 bandsaw.

The sawing machine brings high flexibility and maximum precision. Operating and cost requirements remain low. It is based on the proven straight-cutting saws of the MEBAeco product family, which has long stood for technically highly sophisticated machines, high efficiency and best cutting results. It is equipped with a servo feed system, feed monitoring and a frequency-controlled ball screw drive. Equipped with a special clamping device for holding 3D metal printing work plates and linear guides, these are precisely aligned and then cut off exactly at the plate. The 2-column guided saw frame is steplessly driven and allows fine adjustment of cutting and feed speed. In combination with the right selection of bandsaw blades, even filigree objects can be precisely cut.

And for those of you who are not so tech-savvy – here again in simpler terms: How exactly does the process work for the user?

The 3D components in their respective shapes are printed on a plate and it is exactly this plate that you fix on the MEBA fixture. The linear guides make precise alignment easy. After the plate is adjusted, the sawing process is started. The MEBA3D sawing machine quickly and accurately removes the printed components from the board, allowing them to fall to the bottom for further processing if required. After the sawing process is complete, the jig plate is dismantled and can be used for further prints without much effort. So you can gently release the 3D parts from the board with minimal effort and a quick saw cut.

As a metal 3D printing user, why would you invest in an extra machine to cut the parts?

That’s a fair question to ask, isn’t it? A little rethinking is called for here. The process is not about utilizing the machine to capacity, but performing the perfect cut. The investment for the saw is small compared to the 3D printer and pays for itself quickly. When buying a 3D printer, solutions for cutting the parts are rarely discussed. However, these are an essential part of the overall process and outcome. As mentioned above, manufacturing workpieces (3D printing) using the latest technology (SLM or DMLS processes) and then separating them from the workpiece manually with a hammer and chisel is not up to date and certainly not sustainable. Also, this handling does not bring the desired results in terms of quality, time and manpower. The MEBA3D metal band saw machine performs cutting quickly and reliably. The plate can even be reused for further printing after the end of the sawing process. Because the cut-off is so precise, you can simply disassemble the jig plate and use it for further printing with little rework. And another advantage: In the meantime, the machine can of course also be used for standard sawing tasks, as the clamping device for the work plates can be removed in just a few steps. It’s the perfect complement to the 3D printer in the overall package.

Wondering if the MEBA3D system has more advantages in store for you?

The answer is quite clear: YES.

For example, you have a band saw from another brand and now you really don’t want to buy another one? There is a solution for this as well: The entire device is built on a base plate and in many cases can be mounted on existing band saws without any problems and at low cost. So you can also add this innovative technology to your existing machinery.

Overall, the MEBA3D process is very easy and convenient to use. You don’t have to be a specialist to use it and no special expertise is needed for it. This means that employees can be briefed at short notice. The system is overall easy to use and easy to trade. And retrofitting is also child’s play with a few simple steps. In the same way, the machine can be cleaned in a short time and without complications.

You can ensure a clean working environment and a high level of health protection for your employees by optionally equipping the machine with a protective housing and an industrial vacuum cleaner. Coarse and fine dusts are eliminated. No one inhales powder and it does not get on the skin. MEBA also has the right solution for you – you get everything from a single source and do not have to deal with different suppliers. This saves time and you get the best solution.

Conclusion

MEBA has developed a great way to quickly and accurately release 3D printed parts of various sizes from the base plate. The risk of damage or breakage is reduced quite automatically. In contrast to traditional manufacturing methods such as wire eroding or manual machining, the MEBA 3D sawing concept proves to be uncomplicated: simply clamp and saw. The purchase and maintenance costs are considerably lower and the long service life of the saw band helps to minimize costs. Employees can be trained on the operation of the saw at short notice, no special skilled personnel is required. The flexibility of the MEBA 3D saw concept allows for optimal utilization and amortization, as it can also be retooled for standard sawing jobs with minimal effort. Due to the high cutting accuracy and thus optimal results, it is even more worthwhile. And last but not least, the investment for the machine is low compared to the 3D printer and pays for itself quickly.

Tip:
Take a look at our video on YouTube. Here you can get an idea of how flexible and universal our system is. You can see what the accessories look like, how easy it is to use the tool and how individually you can use the saw. Maybe you prefer to read about concrete application examples – then we recommend the article about our customer Edelstahl-Mechanik. You can find detailed technical data on our MEBA3D website.

https://youtu.be/e6eF9hk1FHI