Advantages of Selective Laser Melting Technology 

Functional Integration

With Selective Laser Melting Technology, you can realize complex geometries through layered construction which were hardly possible with previous manufacturing processes. Instead of producing and joining individual parts, you produce the finished part in a single step.

metallischer 3D-Druck

Production from CAD File

There is no need to draw detailed 2D plans. With 3D printing, the part is produced directly from the CAD file. In combination with 3D scanning, this opens up new possibilities for duplicating a unique specimen, for example for a spare part.

metallischer 3D-Druck

Reduce Weight and Costs

Thin walls, skeletal structures or cavities with an internal grid structure: 3D printing makes it possible to reduce the weight and therefore the costs of the part. This makes the technology particularly interesting for the aerospace industry.

Selective Laser Melting Technologie

Prototypes and Serial Production

3D-printed metal parts have a density of 99.5% or more. This makes the material properties comparable to those of the base materials. Both the production of functional prototypes and series production are possible.

Selective Laser Melting Technologie

Manufacturing Process Selective Laser Melting

Production in 2 Steps

Selective Laser Melting is an additive manufacturing process. It is based on two steps (see diagram). In the first step, a thin layer of metal powder is applied. A laser melts the powder in the desired places and solidifies it. This procedure is repeated until the part is finished.

Production without waste

Metal powder that has not been melted in the production process is filtered and reused. The wastage of material is very low.

Terms

The manufacturing process is known under many different terms:

  • Metal 3D printing
  • Selective Laser Melting (SLM)
  • Direct Laser Metal Sintering (DLMS)
  • LaserCUSING®
  • Near Net Shape Manufacturing
3D printing

Materials

Good weldability

All metals that are easily weldable are suitable for 3D printing. However, ideal production conditions such as laser power vary from metal to metal.

Material properties

Information on the properties of the materials can be found here.

Materials at ProtoShape

  • Aluminium (AlSi10Mg)
  • Inconel (IN718)
  • Titanium (Ti6Al4V Gd. 23)

Do you have any questions about the material properties or are you looking for another material? Please contact us.

Selective Laser Melting Technologie