Green machining involves the machining of metal or ceramic bodies in the "green" state prior to sintering.  Typically these bodies are comprised of ceramic or metal powder held together by an organic binder.  In this state they are far easier to machine than monolithic blocks of the corresponding metal and ceramic. 

Advantages of green machining include:

• fast and easy machining of the powder-filled organic compact compared to monolithic solids
• materials flexibility since many materials including ceramics and metals can be green machined equivalently
• reduced tool wear and no lubricants are required
• no permanent machining stresses induced in the object
• excellent surface finish compared to other rapid prototyping techniques and no staircasing

Parts can be machined using the same STL 3D model files that drive other rapid prototyping equipment.   This virtually eliminates time-consuming CNC programming.

Processing removes the polymer binders and densifies the remaining metal powders by sintering at high temperature. The result is a dense, strong part that looks and behaves like conventional wrought metal parts.

CAM-LEM provides metal part manufacturing services using our green machining processes. We are now also providing green metal blocks for sale to those who wish to perform their own machining. See our metaMETAL page for more information.