Metal 3D printing is used to manufacture geometrically complex parts which can be prohibitively expensive or impossible to make with any other fabrication method. The speed and versatility of 3D printing metal allows manufacturers to go from designing to manufacturing custom metal parts quickly and affordably, without sacrificing part quality. A range of metals produce final parts that can be used for custom designs, rapid prototyping or end-use applications.
3D Printed Metals
Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) builds metal parts by selectively fusing thin layers of stainless steel powder using a laser. This process is ideal for printing precise, high-resolution parts with complex geometries. DMLS is excellent for producing functional prototypes or low-to-mid volume production runs of parts with intricate details and delicate features, and parts designed for demanding environments.
Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) Materials
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17-4 Stainless Steel
17-4PH stainless steel (also known as 1.4542 stainless or 630 grade) has an outstanding combination of high strength and good corrosion resistance, with excellent mechanical properties at high temperatures. It is used in a wide range of industrial applications, including those with mildly corrosive environments and high-strength requirements.
Max part size 150 x 150 x 150 mm
Layer height 20 µm
Tensile Strength 620 - 700 MPa
Elongation at break 3.9 - 7.9 %
Bound Metal Deposition (BMD) Materials
Bound Metal Deposition extrudes metal rods to create complex shapes layer-by-layer. Once printed, parts are sintered in a furnace for final densification. Achieves 98% density, similar to cast parts. Layer lines are typically visible and part surfaces are similar to cast part surfaces. This printing process can have closed-cell infill for lightweight strength. This printing process is excellent for all-purpose parts including prototypes and end-use parts, and form-, fit- and function- testing.
Copper
Copper is an excellent choice for applications requiring thermal and electrical conductivity. This 3D printed copper is 99.9% pure, giving it excellent material properties compared to copper 3D printed with some other 3D printing processes.
Max part size 150 x 150 x 110 mm
Layer height (standard res.) 100-220 µm
Layer height (high res.) 50 µm
Tensile Strength 195 MPa
Elongation at break 30%
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17-4 PH Stainless Steel
Characterized by its combination of strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance, 17-4 PH is a stainless steel ideal for a variety of applications, including tooling, molds, and production parts.
Max part size 150 x 150 x 110 mm
Layer height (standard res.) 100-220 µm
Layer height (high res.) 50 µm
Tensile Strength 925 MPa
Elongation at break 5.30%
316L Stainless Steel
316L stainless steel is a molybdenum - bearing austenitic steel. This material has excellent corrosion resistance, and great mechanical properties at high and low temperatures.
Max part size 150 x 150 x 110 mm
Layer height (standard res.) 100-220 µm
Layer height (high res.) 50 µm
Tensile Strength 590 MPa
Elongation at break 75%
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H13 Tool Steel
H13 tool steel is a chromium-molybdenum steel that is characterized by it's hardness, resistance to abrasion and deformation. This material is harder than 17-4 PH Stainless Steel and capable of maintaining material properties at high temperatures.
Max part size 150 x 150 x 110 mm
Layer height (standard res.) 100-220 µm
Layer height (high res.) 50 µm
Tensile Strength 1520 MPa
Elongation at break 2%
Surface Finish Options
Standard Finish
Supports are removed and layer lines are visible.
Bead Blasting
Bead blasting smooths the surface and has a satin finish.
Custom
A custom finish is available upon request.
Advantages of Metal 3D Printing
Rapid Prototyping
Metal 3D printing is well-suited for rapid prototyping, allowing engineers and designers to quickly iterate and test designs before committing to large-scale production. This can accelerate the product development cycle and reduce time-to-market.
Complex Geometries
Metal 3D printing produces highly complex and intricate geometries that would be challenging or impossible to achieve using traditional manufacturing methods. This is particularly beneficial in industries such as aerospace and healthcare.
Tooling Cost Reduction
Traditional manufacturing often requires expensive tooling for each specific part. With metal 3D printing, tooling costs can be reduced or eliminated, as the same equipment can be used for a variety of complex shapes without molds or dies.
Manufacturing
Metal 3D printing supports on-demand and small-batch manufacturing, making it cost-effective for producing low volumes of specialized or custom parts without the need for maintaining large inventories.
Lightweight Structures
Metal 3D printing enables the creation of lightweight structures with optimized designs, leading to improved performance and fuel efficiency in applications like aerospace and automotive.
Repair and Maintenace
Metal 3D printing can be used for efficient repair and maintenance of existing components, extending the lifespan of critical parts and reducing the need for complete replacements.
Custom Designs
Metal 3D printing produces custom and personalized components, as each part can be designed and printed to meet specific requirements. This is valuable in industries like healthcare, where patient-specific pieces can be created.
Design Freedom
Designers have greater freedom in creating innovative and optimized structures, as they are not constrained by traditional manufacturing limitations. This can result in improved functionality and efficiency.
Reduced Waste
Traditional manufacturing methods often involve subtractive processes, where material is cut away from a larger block to achieve the final shape. Metal 3D printing is an additive process, built layer by layer, which can significantly reduce material waste.