SLM 3D-printing with metal: How does it work? FAQs

Metal 3D-Printing - a short overview

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT METAL 3D-PRINTING / SELECTIVE LASER MELTING

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding the industrial metal 3D-printing at Rosswag Engineering. 3D Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is a cutting-edge technology that allows for the production of high-precision metal parts through a process of melting metal powder layer by layer. This FAQ will introduce you to the basics of 3D-metal printing, including the equipment and materials required, the design process, and the advantages and limitations of this technology. We will also cover important considerations such as post-processing, quality control, and cost estimates. Whether you are a designer, engineer, or manufacturer, this FAQ will provide you with the knowledge you need to effectively utilize 3D SLM metal printing for your next project.

Which metal 3D-printing processes are available?

In metal 3D-printing, there are a variety of different additive manufacturing processes for component production. Each with advantages and disadvantages in terms of i.e. production costs, build dimensions, material selection and part complexity. ...

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Which materials can be used for metal 3D-printing?

Almost any weldable metal alloy can be processed in the Laser Powder Bed Fusion process. However, the corresponding metal powder must be available and individual process parameters have to be qualified for each material to ensure a high-quality processing. ...

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How much do metal 3D-printed components cost?

The costs of metal 3D-printing processes are largely dependent on the component volume to be produced. Depending on the material and the process parameters used, the costs in our LPBF process thus range from 3 - 15 €/cm³. Subsequently, further ...

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What are the economic advantages of metal 3D-printing?

When it comes to a direct comparison of the production costs of components from metal 3D-printing versus conventional manufacturing processes, we can often help very quickly with a holistic cost analysis to determine whether additive manufacturing is ...

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What are the design guidelines to follow?

The metal 3D-printing process Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF or Selective Laser Melting, SLM®) allows high degrees of freedom in the design of components. Many of the restrictions of conventional manufacturing processes do not apply or apply only to ...

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When is metal 3D-printing reasonable for my component?

A component does not become better or more innovative as soon as it is produced by metal 3D-printing. And additive manufacturing is also not a lifesaver for a flawed component design. Therefore, it is important to plan purposefully already in the design ...

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What are the advantages of metal 3D-printing?

The economic benefits from metal 3D-printing depend heavily on the geometry and the application. As a rule, the following benefits can be achieved: Production costs independent of component complexity Weight reduction through topology optimization ...

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