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3D Printing with metal

3D printing with metal is the creation process of a metal part in 3D from a digital file. Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, gets its name as it involves the creation of a final model through the overlaying of various thin layers of material. At Addimen, we are specialists in Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology. This technology differs from other 3D metal printing techniques due to the increased density (over 99.5%) of the parts, the increased dimensional accuracy, and the absence of binders.

Why 3D Printing with Metal?

3D metal printing has the ability to produce geometrics that are impossible to create using conventional manufacturing mechanisms such as tooling, forging, extrusion, pressing, or casting of metals. These technologies have restrictive design regulations that limit the design of an item. They also require complex and expensive tooling that often require complicated assembly operations. The flexibility of 3D metal printing means designers can produce optimised geometrics with an increased resistance, lesser weight, improved heat exchange, etc. and all without tooling!

Uses of 3D metal printing

– The production of models and prototypes during the development stage of a product.
– The manufacturing of «near final shape» parts.
– The production of short-runs in which the cost of the tools for casting or pressing, for example, are too high.

– The manufacturing of highly geometrically complex parts that cannot be produced through conventional manufacturing (tooling, casting, etc.)
– Manufacturing of personalised units without any extra costs.

Step by step process

3D File

– Send us your 3D file ready to print.
– If you do not have the file, send us the item and we will create the CAD file.
– If you need a design from zero, our designers will gladly prepare a quote for you.

3D Printing

– We will create the process file adapted to the technology and materials that will be used to produce your item.
– We prepare and condition the printer to guarantee optimum quality.

Cleaning and post processing

This step is key when meeting your requirements, and it is one that we are highly specialised in.
The removal of the printing support structures, heat treatments, and surface finishes (blasting, polishing, tooling) are some of the most common post processes.

Post processing after metal printing

A quality part, with a good surface finish requires a meticulous cleaning and post processing procedure. The design of the part must be conceived to facilitate and reduce post processes and their associated costs.

Benefits of 3D printing

1 PERSONALISATION

With 3D printing, any product can be personalised and adapted to changing market conditions, without any extra cost.

2 STOCK REDUCTION

Thanks to digitalisation and additive manufacturing, spares can be supplied on demand as our delivery time is minimal.

3 REVERSE ENGINEERING

By using a 3D scanner, we can obtain the plans of a discontinued part, which has no available designs, and then print it in metal or plastic.

4 SAVE ON MATERIAL, WASTE, AND ENERGY

The basic definition of 3D printing is to methodically add material until an item is created. The consolidation of parts for the production process also saves energy and material costs.

3D Printing with metal

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