Drop-on-Demand 3D Metal Printing

Selective Lazer Melting (SLM)

Selective Laser Melting or Metal Powder Bed Fusion is a 3D printing process which produces solid objects, using a thermal source to induce fusion between metal powder particles one layer at a time.

Most Powder Bed Fusion technologies employ mechanisms for adding powder as the object is being constructed, resulting in the final component being encased in the metal powder. The main variations in metal Powder Bed Fusion technologies come from the use of different energy sources; lasers or electron beams.

Types of 3D Printing Technology: Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS); Selective Laser Melting (SLM); Electron Beam Melting (EBM).

Materials: Metal Powder: Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Titanium.

Dimensional Accuracy: ±0.1 mm.

Common Applications: Functional metal parts (aerospace and automotive); Medical; Dental.

Strengths: Strongest, functional parts; Complex geometries.

Weaknesses: Small build sizes; Highest price point of all technologies.

Selective Lazer Melting (SLM)

Selective Laser Melting or Metal Powder Bed Fusion is a 3D printing process which produces solid objects, using a thermal source to induce fusion between metal powder particles one layer at a time.

Types of 3D Printing Technology: Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS); Selective Laser Melting (SLM); Electron Beam Melting (EBM).

Materials: Metal Powder: Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Titanium.

Dimensional Accuracy: ±0.1 mm.

Common Applications: Functional metal parts (aerospace and automotive); Medical; Dental.

Strengths: Strongest, functional parts; Complex geometries.

Weaknesses: Small build sizes; Highest price point of all technologies.

Selective Lazer Melting (SLM)

Selective Laser Melting or Metal Powder Bed Fusion is a 3D printing process which produces solid objects, using a thermal source to induce fusion between metal powder particles one layer at a time.

Types of 3D Printing Technology: Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS); Selective Laser Melting (SLM); Electron Beam Melting (EBM).

Materials: Metal Powder: Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Titanium.

Dimensional Accuracy: ±0.1 mm.

Common Applications: Functional metal parts (aerospace and automotive); Medical; Dental.

Strengths: Strongest, functional parts; Complex geometries.

Weaknesses: Small build sizes; Highest price point of all technologies.

Drop On Demand is a 3D printing process where droplets of material are selectively deposited and cured on a build plate. Using photopolymers or wax droplets that cure when exposed to light, objects are built up one layer at a time.

The nature of the Material Jetting process allows for different materials to be printed in the same object. One application for this technique is to fabricate support structures from a different material to the model being produced.

Types of 3D Printing Technology: Drop on Demand (DOD).
Materials: Photopolymer resin (Standard, Castable, Transparent, High Temperature).
Dimensional Accuracy: ±0.1 mm.
Common Applications: Full color product prototypes; Injection mold-like prototypes; Low run injection molds; Medical models.
Strengths: Best surface finish; Full color and multi-material available.
Weaknesses: Brittle, not suitable for mechanical parts; Higher cost than SLA/DLP for visual purposes.

Drop On Demand (DOD)

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Drop On Demand (DOD)