SLM allows for the creation of high-strength, complex metal parts with intricate geometries that would be difficult or impossible to produce using traditional manufacturing methods. SLM can be used with a variety of metal powders, including titanium, stainless steel, and cobalt-chrome, allowing for a wide range of material options, which makes SLM a popular choice for applications in the aerospace, medical, automotive, and industrial manufacturing industries. Additionally, SLM is a relatively fast process compared to other 3D printing technologies for metal parts, and it can reduce waste material and costs by using only the amount of powder needed to build the part.
Furthermore, SLM is a highly precise and accurate process that can produce parts with tight tolerances, which allows for the creation of parts with excellent mechanical properties and dimensional accuracy, which is important in many applications. Additionally, SLM can produce parts with features such as internal channels and undercuts that would be difficult or impossible to create using traditional manufacturing methods.
Detail of a complex tube printed with SLM using Stainless Steel 316L.
Here at 3DSPRO, our highly professional team is ready to offer a full solution for SLM, including all kinds of post processing such as annealing and sand blasting. You can enjoy the benefits brought by parts printed with SLM technology without worrying the operational risks and challenges of having a SLM printer at your own cost.
However, SLM printers and materials are often expensive, making it a costly option for some applications. SLM requires a high level of expertise to operate, as the process involves managing complex parameters such as laser power, scan speed, and spot size. A skilled operator is required to ensure that the process parameters are optimized for the material being used and that the final part meets the desired specifications.
Additionally, SLM may produce parts with residual stresses and distortion in the final part, which can affect its mechanical properties and dimensional accuracy. It can be mitigated by carefully selecting process parameters and performing post-processing operations such as stress relieving or machining. SLM may also produce parts with a rough surface finish that requires additional post-processing to achieve the desired surface quality.
Here at 3DSPRO, our highly professional team is ready to offer a full solution for SLM, including all kinds of post-processing, such as annealing and sandblasting. You can enjoy the benefits brought by parts printed with SLM technology without worrying about the operational risks and challenges of having an SLM printer at your own cost.