Metal 3D Printing
Elimold offers metal 3d printing services across the workflow, right from AM Consulting, Additive Design & Engineering, Research & Development, through Prototyping and Production volume Manufacturing services, right up to design, set up and operation of Captive AM centres. Our metal 3d printing services ensures improved functional performance, better mechanical properties, superior topology and complex geometry to meet the overall requirement of a component technically.
Why choose Elimold's metal 3d printing services?
Fast turnaround
Metal 3d printing is significantly faster compared to CNC milling or other subtractive manufacturing methods.
Get expert help
From fixing your 3D file to recommending the best material. We got you covered.
High quality and high detailed
Our selective laser melting (SLM) machine can print complex geometries with ease.
A Highly Customizable, Consistent Manufacturing Alternative
Metal 3D printing creates efficiencies by consistently printing parts to the exact specifications of your design file. And, since our process relies solely on the design file to direct production, your designers have the freedom to make quick adjustments to the file if you want to alter a component for the next run. Whether you’re testing prototypes or designing the next iteration of your product for full-scale manufacturing, Elimold metal 3D printing services can support your production requirements.
Metal 3D printing eliminates the need for tooling, support structures or build plates. This makes directly printing metal parts a fast and cost-effective method of serial production when compared to both traditional and other additive processes. Our metal 3D printing materials are designed to work with existing industry processes so the parts you receive are set up for system integration. Plus, our finishing capabilities mean your parts order is ready or near ready for direct commerce applications when you receive it.
Technical specifications
| Maximum build dimensions | Dimensions are unlimited as components may be composed of several sub-parts. The maximum build envelope is 500 x 280 x 315 mm |
| Standard accuracy | Better than or equal to the industry standards:
See design guidelines for more information on standard accuracy. |
| Layer thickness | 0.04 – 0.09 mm (material dependent) |
| Minimum wall thickness |
|
| Surface structure | Unfinished parts are typically rough, but various post-production finishes are possible |
Let Elimold 3D Print Your Metal Parts
Our high-quality service is fast and affordable. Many material options available.
On-demand Metal 3D Printing
Designers have vast opportunities for customization in metal 3D printing, coupled with the opportunity to take advantage of on-demand production–one of the greatest benefits built into 3D printing technology.
Improved efficiency via on-demand manufacturing also allows Elimold customers to take their metal 3D printed products to market faster. Other great features include:
- Large 3D printed parts with reduced assemblies.
- Strong, lightweight parts that are highly optimized for long-term use.
- Less use of resources, materials, and energy.
Elimold works with businesses of all types and sizes for on-demand metal 3D printing, allowing them to eliminate product backlogs and prevent supply chain issues. Lead times are eliminated, accelerating the prototyping and metal additive manufacturing process, resulting in a more agile supply chain.
3D printing service with metal at Elimold. Expedited shipping is available, whether customers need parts shipped to themselves or their own clients.
Metal 3D Printing Materials & Specifications
Metal 3D printing is capable of producing durable parts from metal powders. These parts can be complex, intricate, and elaborate all while maintaining strength and durability.
| Material | Alloy Designation | Layers | Hardness | Advantages | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel (PH1) | 15-5 PH, DIN 1.4540 and UNS S15500 | 20 or 40 Micron Layers | 30-35 HRC Built, Post Hardened to 40 HRC | High Hardness and Strength | Prototype / Production Parts |
| Stainless Steel (GP1) | 17-4, European 1.4542, German X5CrNiCuNb16-4 | 20 or 40 Micron Layers | 230 ± 20 HV1 Built, Ground & Polished to 250-400 HV1 | High Toughness and Ductility | Engineering Applications |
| Cobalt Chrome (MP1) | ISO 5832-4 & ASTM F75 | 20, 40 or 50 Micron Layers | 35-45 HRC Built | High Temperature Resistance | Turbines and Engine Parts |
| Maraging Steel (MS1) | 18% Ni Maraging 300, European 1.2709, German X3NiCoMoTi 18-9-5 | 20 or 40 Micron Layers | 33-37 HRC Built, Post Hardened to 50-56 HRC | Easily to Machine and Excellent Polishability | Injection Molding Tooling, Conformal Cooling |
| Aluminum AlSi10Mg | Typical Casting Alloy | 30 Micron Layers | Approx 119 ± 5 HBW | Low Weight, Good Thermal Properties | Automotive, Racing |
| Nickel Alloy IN718 | UNS N07718, AMS 5662, AMS 5664, W.Nr 2.4668, DIN NiCr19Fe19NbMo3 | 40 Micron Layers | 30 HRC Built, Post Hardened 47 HRC | Heat and Corrosion Resistant | Turbines, Rockets, Aerospace |
| Stainless Steel (316L) | ASTM F138 | 20 Micron Layers | 85 HRB | Corrosion and Pitting Resistant | Surgical Tools, Food and Chemical Plants |
| Titanium Ti-64* | ASTM F2924 | 30 or 60 Micron Layers | 320 ± 15 HV5 | Light Weight, High Strength and Corrosion Resistant | Aerospace, Motorsport Racing |
| Titanium Ti-64 ELI* | ASTM F136 Properties | 30 or 60 Micron Layers | 320 ± 15 HV5 | Corrosion Resistance, Biocompatibility | Medical, Biomedical, Implants |
*Contact a Elimold expert for more information.
Finishes for metal 3D printing
| High Pressure Bead Blast | The minimum finish that every part receives after stilt removal. It is done using alumina oxide powder in a pressurized controlled cabinet, and is a requirement before all optional finishes. |
| Polish (P) | Requires a high energy tumbling machine with various media, soap and polishing material. It is not suitable for geometrically fragile parts and parts over 7” in diameter and/or parts over 10” long. Please note: this is not a “buffing” operation, and degree of polish is directly related to part geometry. Part is finished with a gloss lacquer. |
| Ceramic Blasting (ZB) | Creates a polish finish to parts that are too geometrically fragile or too large for the high energy polishing machine. It will not create as much shine as the high energy machine. Part is finished with a gloss lacquer. |
| Antique Bronze (AB) | A light to medium bronze patina that is done through a heat cycle and completed after polishing. Chemicals are not involved in this process. Part is finished with a gloss lacquer. |
| Wheat Penny (WP) | A medium to dark bronze patina that is done through a heat cycle without polishing, which provides a matte finish. Chemicals are not involved in this process. Part is finished with a matte lacquer. |
| Medieval Pewter (MP) | A gray to black patina that is done through a heat cycle after polishing. Chemicals are not involved in this process. Part is finished with a gloss lacquer. |
| Damascus Steel (DM) | A medium to dark black patina that is done through a heat cycle without polishing which provides a matte finish. Chemicals are not involved in this process. Part is finished with a matte lacquer. |
| Nickel Plating (N) | An electroless nickel plating finish that is very ductile. It is applied on an unpolished part and has a gray to silver finish. Part is finished with a matte lacquer. |
| Nickel Polish Plating (NP) | An electroless nickel plating finish that is very ductile. It is applied on a polished or ceramic blasted part and has a silver finish. Part is finished with a gloss lacquer. |
| Gold Plating (G) | An electroless immersion gold plating finish that is very ductile. It is applied over a nickel plated unpolished part and has a matte gold finish. Part is finished with a matte lacquer. |
| Gold Polish Plating (GP) | An electroless immersion gold plating finish that is very ductile. It is applied over a nickel plated polished or ceramic blasted part and has a polished gold finish. Part is finished with a gloss lacquer. |
Metal 3D Printing Service
Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)
Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) uses a fibre laser system that draws onto a surface of atomized metal powder, welding the powder into fully dense metal parts.
Learn More
Binder Jetting
The use of binder jetting spans a wide range of applications, including full-color prototypes, large plastic/ceramic cores and molds, and small, functional metal parts.
Learn MoreChoosing Between DMLS or Binder Jet Metal
Elimold 3D metal printing services include direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) and metal binder jetting as options. These processes are suitable for creating metal prototypes, tooling, and production parts on demand. However, each metal 3D printing process uses different metals and fusing methods, resulting in parts with different mechanical properties, prices, and lead times.
What is Metal 3D Printing?
Metal 3D Printing is a laser-based technology that produces parts by fusing metal powder layer by layer to form a metal part in 7 days or less.
Metal 3D printing can produce complex designs, including lattices and topology-generated structures, which are impossible to manufacture via traditional CNC machining.
Metal 3D printing technology is commonly used for:
- Prototyping in production-grade materials
- Complex geometries
- Functional, end-use parts
- Reducing metal components in an assembly
Other Services
Elimold is a full-service provider of metal additive manufacturing/3D printing solutions, applying the know-how accumulated in metal and metal processing solutions. We offer a full suite of services, including reverse engineering, process development, powder and substrate characterization, surface profile preparation, material application, post-processing, final processing, and inspection. Elimold also provides services for evaluating, validating, and qualifying parts through mechanical and physical characterization. All processes are controlled in-house to ensure quality results.
What can we do for you:
– Applicable part identification
– Reverse Engineering/Solid Modeling
– Prototype and parts manufacturing
– Physical/Mechanical Testing
– Design licenses and qualifications
– Device selection and transition
– Modeling and Simulation
– Fused deposition modeling of plastics
Benefits of Metal 3D Printing
- Metal 3D printing can manufacture complex, bespoke parts with geometries that traditional manufacturing methods cannot produce.
- Metal 3D printed parts can be topologically optimized to maximize their performance while minimizing their weight and the total number of components in an assembly.
- Metal 3D printed parts have excellent physical properties, and the available material range includes difficult-to-process otherwise materials, such as metal superalloys.
Allow us to help You!
A single component, or even more a complete assembly, that is already designed and manufactured by traditional production methods, has already incorporated all compromises dictated by the selected method, in terms of functionality, appearance and assembly procedures. In this case, there is little space left for the exploitation of Additive Manufacturing.
Optimum exploitation of Additive Manufacturing capabilities, prerequisites its consideration from the early design or redesign stages.
Our Technical Department is able to provide excellent technical assistance in this process.
Describe to us your project. Send us specifications and drawings. We will offer our oppinion without any obligation from your side.