Method of 3d printing metal part

A method of manufacturing a metal part using direct light processing technology, the method comprising;

• i) mixing a paste composition which includes a resin with a viscosity of less than 200 mPa·s measured at 25 degrees Celsius and a metallic powder, the metallic powder having a volumetric concentration greater than 50% of the total volume of the composition, the composition having a viscosity of less than 4000 mPa·s;
• ii) applying a 100 micron or less initial layer of the composition to a build plate of a direct light processing apparatus;
• iii) applying a 405 nanometer wavelength or less light source in a pattern to the layer to cure the layer;
• iv) moving the build platform downward by amount equal to the thickness of the layer;
• v) applying a 100 micron or less additional layer of the composition to previous layers;
• and
• vi) applying the 405 nanometer wavelength or less light source in an additional pattern to the additional layer to cure the additional layer;
• vii) repeating steps iv), v) and vi) until part is complete.

A metallic part made by a direct light processing apparatus using a direct light process, said process comprising:

• i) applying a 100 micron or less initial layer of a composition to a build plate of a direct light processing apparatus, the composition having a viscosity of less than 4000 mPa·s;
• ii) applying a 405 nanometer wavelength or less light source in a pattern to the layer to cure the initial layer;
• iii) moving the build platform downward by amount equal to the thickness of the layer;
• iv) applying a 100 micron or less additional layer of the composition to previous layers;
• and
• v) applying the 405 nanometer wavelength or less light source in an additional pattern to the additional layer to cure the additional layer;
• vi) repeating steps iii), iv) and v) until part is complete.