Metal 3D printing (SLM)
Metal 3D Printing allows the fabrication of highly complex geometries which would be impossible to fabricate from any other traditional manufacturing process
Additive Manufacturing technology allows the production of parts up to 60% lighter in weight than conventional processes.
Some of the materials available in Metal Additive Manufacturing have higher resistance properties compared with machining or even casting materials.
It is also a process that uses the exact amount of material needed; no waste or scrap is generated thus resulting is energy saving during the entire building process which is why it is considered a “Sustainable & Ecological” technology.
What is metal 3D printing?
Metal 3D printing uses metal alloys as a raw material in the form of powders and a high-powered laser device melts and joins the particles layer by layer until a 3D object is formed.
How does it work?
A 3D CAD model of the part to be fabricated is needed to allow best build orientation; a 3D software program analyses the geometry and information is then organized and translated generating a slicing and hatching format which is then loaded onto the SLM machine with the order to build.
In the metal printing machine, layers of metal powder are spread over one another whilst a high-power laser melts the metal particles and fuses them together simultaneously building the part and supports.
When the part is built, the excess of metal powder is collected to be reused; depending on the metal alloy processed, the part is sometimes taken through secondary operations such as machining, thermal or isostatic procedures, surface finishing, etc.
Applications of metal 3D printing
It is the ideal technology for the fabrication of complex metal geometries as it provides almost unlimited design possibilities. The cost of manufacturing this type of parts depends on their volume and overall dimensions, not their complexity. We highlight some ideal applications for this technology:
- Functional prototypes
- Parts with complex geometry
- Lightweight structures for use in aerospace and aeronautics
- Inserts for tools and molds with internal cooling channels
- Tools for production
- Rigid housings
- Pipelines
- Spare parts
- Heatsinks
- Heat exchangers
- Manufacture of short series of parts
Advantages of metal 3D printing (SLM)
Functionality
Lightness
Consolidation
Fluids
Materials for metal 3D printing (SLM)
We offer various state-of-the-art materials for the manufacture of metal-printed parts. On this page we present the main materials with which we work and their most relevant characteristics, if you need a special material do not hesitate to contact us.
AlSi10Mg |
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It is an aluminum-based alloy, it has a wide application in the additive manufacturing industry, where prototype and series parts and components are manufactured. |
Ti6Al4V ELI (Grade 23) |
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It is an alloy of titanium, aluminum, and vanadium, of high purity and one of the most used, it has a low content of oxygen, carbon and iron. |
HX (Hastelloy X) |
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It is an alloy based on nickel, chromium, molybdenum, and iron. |
IN718 |
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It is a chromium-nickel alloy. This material has very good resistance to fatigue, traction and breakage. |
1.2709 |
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It is a tool steel (Maraging Steel) with a high content of nickel alloy. |
316L |
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Stainless steel, a material with high acceptance in the world of additive manufacturing due to its ease of processing and use as a starting point for getting started in this technology. |