Most of us believe that new technology replaces old. New CNC machine in, old Bridgeport out. But did you know that your old dusty bandsaw might become one of your most valuable machines next to a Metal 3D Printer? I did not.
I never realized how dependent Metal 3D Printing is on old technology. For example, Powder Metal 3D Printers are welding the part directly to the build plate. That means that in most cases you need a bandsaw or the more expensive Wire EDM process to separate the two. And, with the bandsaw method, I believe most of us can agree that a cleanup pass on the CNC or Bridgeport most likely is necessary.
This brings up another question: how are you going to hold onto the part for that cleanup pass? Most 3D Printed parts aren’t prismatic at all, rather the opposite. That question is for another day.
Of course, it is not only Metal 3D Printing that has to mix old vs. new technology. Take for example last week’s eye-opener: