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.
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Types of 3D Printing Technology: Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS); Selective Laser Melting (SLM); Electron Beam Melting (EBM).
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Materials: Metal Powder: Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Titanium.
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Dimensional Accuracy: ±0.1 mm.
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Common Applications: Functional metal parts (aerospace and automotive); Medical; Dental.
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Strengths: Strongest, functional parts; Complex geometries.
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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.
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.
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.
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3D-printed steel bridge loaded with sensors opens for pedestrians in Amsterdam
The world’s first 3D-printed steel structure has been unveiled in Amsterdam that comes with an array of sensors to make the city’s center a “living laboratory”.
The bridge was installed over the Oudezijds Achterburgwal canal in Amsterdam’s Red Light District and was unveiled today (July 15) by a robot.
The project has been in development since 2015 by Dutch start-up MX3D and uses torch-wielding robot welders for its construction. Researchers from Imperial College London (ICL) will now measure, monitor and analyze the performance of the 12-meter-long structure as it handles pedestrian traffic.
The data collected will enable them to measure the bridge’s ‘health’ in real-time, monitor how it changes over its lifespan and understand how the public interacts with 3D-printed infrastructure.
The data from the sensors will be put into a ‘digital twin’ of the bridge – a computerized version that will imitate the physical bridge with growing accuracy in real time as sensor data come in.
The performance and behavior of the physical bridge will be tested against the twin, which will help answer questions about the long-term behavior of 3D-printed steel, as well as its use in real-world settings and in future novel construction projects.
Before installation, the structure was tested extensively including applying destructive forces on printed elements and using non-destructive real-world testing on the footbridge.
The Steel Structures group at ICL also undertook cross-section testing and computer modeling using the digital twin.
Imperial co-contributor professor Leroy Gardner said: “A 3D-printed metal structure large and strong enough to handle pedestrian traffic has never been constructed before. We have tested and simulated the structure and its components throughout the printing process and upon its completion and it’s fantastic to see it finally open to the public.”
“3D printing presents tremendous opportunities to the construction industry, enabling far greater freedom in terms of material properties and shapes. This freedom also brings a range of challenges and will require structural engineers to think in new ways.”
“3D printing is poised to become a major technology in engineering and we need to develop appropriate approaches for testing and monitoring to realise its full potential. When we couple 3D printing with digital twin technology, we can then accelerate the infrastructure design process, ensuring that we design optimal and efficient structures with respect to environmental impact, architectural freedom and manufacturing costs.”
The data captured from the bridge will be made available to other researchers worldwide who want to work with the Turing researchers in analysing the data.
Steel isn’t the only manufacturing material that is being made compatible with 3D printing technology. Another Dutch firm unveiled 3D-printed concrete homes in April that are designed to be as energy efficient as possible.
Ref: Engineering & Technology