Great Benefits of Using Direct Metal 3D Printing

Additive manufacturing technology is not just about producing parts. There is a 3D printing technology that can print metal parts, too, and it is known as direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). In direct metal 3D printing, metal powders are fused by precision lasers one layer at a time to build the part. It creates the component based on the 3D CAD file, which determines the complexity of your design.

 

How does it work?

 

First, a thin layer of metal powder must be distributed evenly across the build chamber. Then, a CAD file must be ready, so the precision laser will follow it when heating and fusing metal powders to replicate the design. The process is repeated for every layer until the desired size and shape of your product is achieved.

 

When you think about the direct metal 3D printing process, its advantages are likely to make more sense for your prototyping needs. Here is an overview of its benefits:

 

Streamline your production

 

Through DMLS, several steps can be eliminated in the part production process as it only requires one machine at a single station, with minimal manpower involved. This way, lead time is reduced. It is also possible to integrate more than one component during the process, like when mountings and fasteners must be integrated, but this time, without needing an assembly.

 

Create complex shapes

 

No matter how simple or complicated the design of your metal part, direct metal 3D printing can create it at a reasonable cost from a range of materials, such as titanium, copper, stainless steel, tool steel, and aluminum. If your product is expensive to build using conventional methods, you might want to consider DMLS, too.

 

Versatile

 

Traditional metal fabrication uses processes and machines that could limit your creativity in design.  DMLS has very few manufacturing limitations. It can create functional prototypes and parts, but it can also be practical for low volume production. The technology is extensively used in medical, aerospace, and automotive industries for part consolidation and weight saving applications.

 

Create robust parts

 

Objects produced by direct metal 3D printing are known for their strength. So, they are reliable for real-world applications, too, such as for tooling, bracketing, fixtures, jigs, and high-stress environments. This can be helpful when you want to properly verify the reliability of parts during the prototyping stage.

 

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