What is the Process of DMLS 3D Printing
Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) is an industrial additive manufacturing technology that builds parts from metals. The process crafts the tangible version of your design one layer at a time by sintering the powdered metals. Because of this, DMLS 3D printing can achieve highly complex shapes, which may be more challenging or impossible to make with other methods. That makes it worth considering, especially when you want to understand how a metal part or product functions or looks.
Create functional prototypes
Like selective laser sintering, DMLS is ideal for crafting rapid prototypes and low-volume end-use components. The difference between them is the materials used for printing the parts. Reputable service providers offer a range of materials, such as stainless steel, tool steel, aluminum, copper, and titanium.
How does it work?
DMLS 3D printing follows the standard sequence of processes for most additive manufacturing technologies: modeling, slicing, and printing one layer at a time. After creating a 3D model and slicing it with software, the code is sent to the printer to commence printing.
The printer is filled with your chosen metal powder heated to an ideal sintering range temperature of the alloy. Inert gas protects the heated powder and the component as it is constructed in the build chamber.
The building process starts when the printer dispenses a thin layer of metal powder onto the build chamber for the laser to selectively sinter the material into a solid state, continuing until the part is complete. After which, the component cools, and the loose metal powders are removed.
DMLS has specific capabilities and design guidelines. Be sure to check with the service provider to be guided accordingly. Ask about sizes, layer thickness, tolerances, and surface finishes. It also helps to be familiar with the material options, expertise, scale, project management capabilities, and the quality control process of the service provider.
Applications
DMLS 3D printing is extensively used in aerospace, medical, and automotive industries with needs like part consolidation and weight-saving applications. It’s more cost-effective for manufacturing complex geometries and shapes. However, due to the weight of metals, overhanging sections typically require support, which will be removed post-process. Machining may be necessary to achieve tight tolerances for threads and holes.
Is DMLS ideal for your project?
Find a reputable service provider that can review your project for free. With their help, they can give further design tips to make your part suitable for DMLS 3D printing. Otherwise, they can recommend other additive manufacturing technologies.