Use supports as heat paths
Keep overhangs near or above 45° where possible and provide accessible support zones beneath heavy sections.
SELECTIVE LASER MELTING
SLM Metal 3D Printing Services
Build dense metal parts with complex internal channels, lightweight lattices and production-grade alloys. SLM suits functional prototypes and low-volume metal components that are difficult to machine.
- Fully dense metal parts
- Complex internal channels
- Production-grade alloys
DESIGN GUIDE
Design Around Heat, Supports and Powder Removal
SLM parts are built under high thermal load. Orientation, support access and internal-channel geometry directly affect distortion, finish and post-machining.
- Maximum build size
- 320 × 320 × 400 mm
- Typical tolerance
- ±0.2 mm
- Layer thickness
- 0.03–0.05 mm
- Minimum wall
- From 0.8 mm
- Minimum feature
- From 0.5 mm
- Available finishes
- As-built to machined
Make channels self-supporting
Use teardrop or diamond-shaped channels above 8 mm and provide clear powder-removal access at both ends.
Add fillets to thermal transitions
Avoid abrupt thick-to-thin changes and sharp internal corners. Fillets reduce stress concentration and heat buildup.
All SLM projects are quoted with a production lead time starting from 3 days.
SLM MATERIALS
Three Clear Starting Points
Select the alloy from strength, weight, corrosion and temperature requirements. Critical faces can be CNC machined after printing.
01
AlSi10Mg Aluminum
Lightweight housings, brackets and thermal parts
- Key traits
- Light · Strong · Thermally conductive
- Colors
- Natural metal
- Lead time
- From 3 days
02
316L / 17-4PH Stainless
Corrosion-resistant and high-strength parts
- Key traits
- Dense · Durable · Corrosion resistant
- Colors
- Natural metal
- Lead time
- From 3 days
03
Ti-6Al-4V Titanium
High strength-to-weight and medical parts
- Key traits
- Light · Biocompatible · High strength
- Colors
- Natural metal
- Lead time
- From 3 days
HOW SLM WORKS
A Laser Fully Melts Metal Powder Into Dense Layers
SLM spreads a thin metal-powder layer and selectively melts it with a high-power laser. The part is then stress relieved, removed from the build plate and finished.- 01
Dense metal performance
Properly processed alloys provide useful strength for functional and end-use components.
- 02
Complex internal geometry
Conformal channels, lattices and integrated features can reduce assemblies and weight.
- 03
No dedicated tooling
Engineering changes and low-volume builds can move forward without dies or molds.
- 04
Hybrid finishing route
Critical datums, threads and sealing faces can be machined after printing.
COMMON APPLICATIONS
Where SLM Adds the Most Value
Aerospace structures
Lightweight brackets, ducts and heat-management components.
Medical components
Titanium implants, instruments and porous structures.
Conformal-cooled tooling
Mold inserts with internal channels that follow the cavity.
Automotive development
Compact manifolds, motorsport parts and functional metal prototypes.