DMLS | Direct Metal Laser Sintering | 3D Printing

DMLS | Direct Metal Laser Sintering

DMLS printing uses a high-powered laser to fuse fine metal powder layer by layer, directly creating a solid metal part from a digital model. Each layer of metal powder is selectively melted according to the design, building the object up until complete. The result is a dense, highly detailed metal part with excellent mechanical properties, suitable for complex, high-strength applications.

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DMLS has many benefits such as the ability to quickly produce a unique part– no special tooling required, parts can be built in hours, and allows for more rigorous testing of prototypes. Since DMLS can use most alloys, prototypes can now be made of the same material as production components. Ready to build your project with DMLS?

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Applications

Rapid Prototyping

DMLS is a good solution for producing detailed metal parts when you need a prototype.

Tooling and Molds

DMLS is valuable for manufacturing durable molds and tooling with intricate cooling channels, reducing lead times, and improving product quality.

Energy Industry Components

Thanks to its strength and material versatility, DMLS is used to produce components for the energy sector, such as turbine parts and heat-resistant components for oil and gas.

Materials

Material	Use Cases	Layers	Hardness	Description
Stainless Steel (PH1)	• Prototypes • Production Parts	20 or 40µm	30-35 HRC Built, Post Hardened to 40 HRC	Stainless Steel (PH1), or 17-4 PH, is a precipitation-hardened steel with high strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance. It offers excellent mechanical properties, good wear resistance, and can be heat-treated for enhanced performance.
Stainless Steel (GP1)	• Engineering Applications	20 or 40µm	230 ± 20 HV1 Built, Ground & Polished to 250-400 HV1	Stainless Steel (GP1), similar to 316L, is an austenitic steel with excellent corrosion resistance, good strength, and high toughness. It provides good weldability and ductility, making it suitable for complex geometries and demanding environments.
Stainless Steel (316L)	• Surgical Tools • Food & Chemical Plants	20µm	85 HRB	Stainless Steel (316L) is an austenitic steel known for its excellent corrosion resistance, especially in chloride-rich environments. It offers good strength, high ductility, and excellent weldability, making it ideal for complex and durable parts.
Maraging Steel (MS1)	• Injection Molding • Tooling • Conformal Cooling	20 or 40µm	33-37 HRC Built, Post Hardened to 50-56 HRC	Maraging Steel (MS1) is an ultra-high-strength steel known for its superior toughness, hardness, and excellent machinability. It can be heat-treated to achieve even higher strength while maintaining good ductility and dimensional stability.
Cobalt Chrome (MP1)	• Turbines • Engine Parts	20,40, or 50µm	35-45 HRC	Cobalt Chrome (MP1) is a wear-resistant alloy with high strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and superior biocompatibility. It offers exceptional hardness and thermal stability, making it suitable for demanding environments and high-performance applications.
Aluminum AlSi10Mg	• Automotive • Racing	30µm	Approx. 119 ± 5 HBW	Aluminum AlSi10Mg is a lightweight alloy with good strength, thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance. It offers excellent castability, high fatigue resistance, and can be heat-treated to enhance mechanical properties.
Nickel Alloy IN718	• Aerospace • Turbines • Rockets	40µm	30 HRC Built, Post Hardened to 47 HRC	Nickel Alloy IN718 is a high-strength, corrosion-resistant superalloy known for its excellent performance at high temperatures. It offers exceptional creep resistance, fatigue strength, and oxidation resistance, making it ideal for demanding environments.
Titanium Ti-64	• Aerospace • Motorsports • Racing	30 or 60µm	320 ± 15 HV5	Titanium Ti-64 (Ti-6Al-4V) is a lightweight, high-strength alloy with excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. It offers a superior strength-to-weight ratio, good fatigue resistance, and can withstand high temperatures.
Titanium Ti-64 ELI	• Medical • Biomedical • Implants	30 or 60µm	320 ± 15 HV5	Titanium Ti-64 ELI (Extra Low Interstitial) is a high-strength, corrosion-resistant alloy with enhanced fracture toughness and improved ductility. It provides excellent biocompatibility, making it ideal for applications requiring superior performance in demanding environments.

DMLS FAQs

What are the advantages of DMLS over traditional manufacturing?

DMLS allows for complex geometries that traditional methods can't achieve, reducing the need for tooling and assembly. It minimizes material waste and speeds up production, making it ideal for aerospace, medical, and automotive applications. Additionally, DMLS parts have excellent mechanical properties suitable for functional use.

Are DMLS parts as strong as metal components made from traditional manufacturing methods?

Yes. Parts made using DMLS have mechanical properties identical to cast metal parts.

What resolution can be obtained with DMLS?

DMLS is available in various resolutions. The highest resolution produces layer thickness between 0.0008" and 0.0015" in the Z direction and between 0.012" and 0.016" in the XY plane. The minimum hole diameter is between 0.035" and 0.045".

How porous are DMLS parts?

DMLS parts can obtain up to 99.5% density. 3D printed metals exceed industry standards for density testing.

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DMLS | Direct Metal Laser Sintering | 3D Printing