Metal 3D Printing

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What is Direct metal laser sintering?

Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) is an industrial metal 3D printing process that builds fully functional metal prototypes and production parts in 7 days or less. A range of metals produce final parts that can be used for end-use applications.

Metal 3D printing technology is commonly used for:

  • Prototyping in production-grade materials

  • Complex geometries

  • Functional, end-use parts

  • Reducing metal components in an assembly

Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) uses a fiber laser system that draws onto a surface of atomized metal powder, welding the powder into fully dense metal parts.

*General Material Selection available through our external Manufacturing Suppliers.

  • Stainless Steel 17-4 PH is a precipitation hardened stainless steel that is known for its hardness and corrosion resistance. If needing a stainless steel option, select 17-4 PH for its significantly higher tensile strength and yield strength, but recognize that it has far less elongation at break than 316L. Final parts built 17-4 PH receive vacuum solution heat treatment as well as H900 aging.

    Primary Benefits

    • Heat treated for full hardness and strength

    • Corrosion resistance

  • Stainless steel 316L is a workhorse material used for manufacturing acid and corrosion resistant parts. Select 316L when stainless steel flexibility is needed; 316L is a more malleable material compared to 17-4 PH. Final parts built in 316L receive stress relief application.

    Primary Benefits

    • Acid and corrosion resistance

    • High ductility

  • Aluminum (AlSi10Mg) is comparable to a 3000 series alloy that is used in casting and die casting processes. It has good strength -to-weight ratio, high temperature and corrosion resistance, and good fatigue, creep and rupture strength. AlSi10Mg also exhibits thermal and electrical conductivity properties. Final parts built in AlSi10Mg receive stress relief application.

    Primary Benefits

    • High stiffness and strength relative to weight

    • Thermal and electrical conductivity

  • Inconel is a high strength, corrosion resistant nickel chromium superalloy ideal for parts that will experience extreme temperatures and mechanical loading. Final parts built in Inconel 718 receive stress relief application. Solution and aging per AMS 5663 is also available to increase tensile strength and hardness.

    Primary Benefits

    • Oxidation and corrosion resistance

    • High performance tensile, fatigue, creep, and rupture strength

  • Cobalt Chrome (Co28Cr6Mo)​ is a superalloy is known for its high strength-to-weight ratio.

    Primary Benefits​

    • High performance tensile and creep

    • Corrosion resistance

  • Titanium (Ti6Al4V) is a workhorse alloy. Versus Ti grade 23 annealed, the mechanical properties of Ti6Al4V are comparable to wrought titanium for tensile strength, elongation, and hardness. Final parts built in Ti6Al4V receive vacuum stress relief application.

    Primary Benefits​

    • High stiffness and strength relative to weight

    • High temperature and corrosion resistance

Post-Processing Capabilities for Metal 3D-Printed Parts

Improve strength, dimensional accuracy, and cosmetic appearance of final metal components with DMLS for production.

Surface Finishing

  • 3- and 5-axis milling

  • Turning

  • Polish (Mirror or Brushed)

  • Passivation

  • Wire EDM

  • Tapping and reaming

Mechanical Testing

  • Tensile

  • Rockwell Hardness

Heat Treatments

  • Stress relief

  • NADCAP heat treatment

  • Hot isostatic pressing (HIP)

  • Solution annealing

  • Aging

Powder Analysis & Material

  • Traceability

  • Chemistry

  • Particle size and distribution analysis