Selective Laser Melting, also called Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) or Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF).
It is one of the metal 3D printing technologies.
How it works
In principle, the technology is very similar to the SLS method. Here, however, there is no sintering, but a complete melting of the metal material. The print is therefore not made up of individual particles sintered together, but thanks to melting, a homogeneous product with better physical properties is created. Therefore, it is possible to use the prints as functional final products.
Since this type of printing does not require supports, it is also possible to print organic shapes that cannot be produced by classic metalworking processes. 3D printing with this technology must take place in a special atmosphere - in a chamber with a protective atmosphere of inert gases such as argon or nitrogen.
These printers use extremely powerful lasers directed by special mirrors.
It is possible to print in this way from various metals such as copper, aluminum, surgical steel, cobalt, chrome, titanium, platinum or tungsten. These metals must first be ground to a super fine powder level.
This type of 3D printing is only suitable for professional use. The high prices of these printers and their operation make them unaffordable for most Czech companies. Therefore, we recommend using the services of a professional partner in the field of 3D printing. We also provide it in our company, so don't hesitate to contact us.
History
Large manufacturing companies in the automotive and aerospace industries have shown interest in metal printing since the advent of 3D printing, especially SLS technology.
This 3D printing technology was created in 1995 at the German Fraunhofer Institute in cooperation first with the company F&S Stereolitographietechnik GmbH and, from the beginning of 2000, with MCP HEK GmbH, which soon changed its name to MTT Technology GmbH and finally in 2014 to SLM Solution GmbH.
The goal of the collaboration after 2000 was to create salable 3D printers based on SLM technology. The second pioneer of this technology is the German company EOS. She gradually created her own technology, which she called DMLS. Since 2002, EOS has started working with Trumpf under a patent exchange agreement. In 2008, MCP (later SLM Solution GmbH) also joined this agreement.
The history of metal 3D printing has been neither simple nor quick. A few years ago, she didn't look promising at all. Analysts lowered their estimates of its growth prospects.
Trends
Dnes je známo, že velké kovozpracující závody tento druh 3D tisku začínají do svého výrobního procesu přidávat. Ti největší světoví hráči dokonce rovnou koupí výrobce 3D tiskáren a nebo materiálu do nich.
Zároveň někteří výrobci průmyslových 3D tiskáren založených na jiných technologiích 3D tisku rozšiřují svoje portfólio i o tento druh strojů jako například Stratasys, HP, Renishaw nebo EOS.
Přitažlivé a rostoucí odvětví láká i nováčky - německou společnost Trumpf, Desktop Metal, Digital Metal, Markforged a XJet. Právě firma Desktop Metal, která je průkopníkem v menších a cenově dostupnějších kovových 3D tiskárnach, se stala koncem roku 2018 miláčkem investorů. V polovině ledna 2019 do ní téměř půl miliardy dolarú investoval Koch Industries Distruptive Technologies, čím se hodnota firmy zvedla přes 1,5 miliardy dolarů. Do společnosti Desktop Metal již investovali takoví giganti jako GE a Ford.
Očekává se, že v průběhu několika let tento druh kovovýroby v odvětvích jako je automobilová či letecká výroba, bude úplně běžným postupem. Těžařský průmysl a energetika bude také tento druh 3D tisku aktivně využívat. Budou přibývat profesionální poskytovatelé i tohoto druhu 3D tisku.
Today, it is known that large metalworking plants are starting to add this type of 3D printing to their production process. The world's biggest players will even directly buy the manufacturer of 3D printers and/or the material for them.
At the same time, some manufacturers of industrial 3D printers based on other 3D printing technologies are expanding their portfolio to include this type of machine, such as Stratasys, HP, Renishaw or EOS.
The attractive and growing industry also attracts newcomers - the German company Trumpf, Desktop Metal, Digital Metal, Markforged and XJet. The company Desktop Metal, which is a pioneer in smaller and more affordable metal 3D printers, became the darling of investors at the end of 2018. In mid-January 2019, Koch Industries Disruptive Technologies invested almost half a billion dollars in it, increasing the value of the company to over 1.5 billion dollars. Such giants as GE and Ford have already invested in Desktop Metal.
It is expected that within a few years, this type of metal fabrication in industries such as automotive or aircraft manufacturing will be completely common practice. The mining and energy industries will also actively use this type of 3D printing. There will be more professional providers of this type of 3D printing as well.
Advantages
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Alloys can be used
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Stronger and stronger products
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Less porosity compared to SLS
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Minimal waste compared to classic production
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Unique complex structures that cannot be produced otherwise
Disadvantages
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The entire product can be printed from only one material
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High prices of printers, their parts, operation and materials
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Necessity to use protective equipment and special spaces for 3D printers
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3D models with special design, cannot use commonly available 3D models for other kind of 3D printing or CNC machining
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For the design of the 3D model, the properties of the printing material must be taken into account
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Metal prints have different physical properties than metal castings
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Not yet suitable for mass production
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3D printing takes a long time
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Limited print sizes
If you are considering this type of 3D printing technology for your project, we will be happy to advise you or provide you with a 3D print. Contact us.