DMLS is an 'additive' technology that works by fusing together very fine layers of metal powder using a focussed laser beam. In a similar way to the SLA process, parts or inserts have to be anchored onto a steel platform so that they do not move during the build and a support structure is required for most downward facing surfaces. The supports are necessary because the powder alone is not sufficient to hold in place the liquid phase created when the laser is scanning the powder.
The supports and components are built with a layer thickness ranging from 20 to 60 microns, depending on the material used. Each layer is scanned with the laser fusing the powder to the previous layer below it, and forming the new build layer. The base is then lowered one layer, a fresh layer of powder is deposited, and the next layer is scanned. A powerful 200W Yb-fibre laser is precisely controlled in the X and Y co-ordinates allowing for exceptional tolerances to be held (<+/-0.1mm).
The latest technology takes advantage of a 'dual-spot' laser allowing feature sizes as small as 0.4mm to be built. With a machine build envelope of 250x250x215mm (including platform), many medium to small parts and inserts are able to be constructed in hours and days versus days and weeks using traditional processes.
Once started, the machine builds unattended, 24 hours a day. Parts and inserts that come out of the machine typically will go through a series of 'post processing' steps including support removal, shot peening and polishing. The parts coming out of the machine are 99.99% dense and require no post-sintering or other infiltration process.
Watch a Video Clip of the DMLS process in action and a part being 'dug out' of the build chamber.
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Part straight off the DMLS machine |
Part after shot-peening |
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Part after polishing |
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- Find out more about DMLS Application or read our Technical Briefing on how to accelerate production cycles via conformal cooling using DMLS here.
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