Our unique network of metal 3D printing includes some of the most advanced 3D printer manufacturers and specialized service providers. Major clients include leading global corporations in various sectors, such as aerospace, telecom, automobile, electric vehicle, FMCG, etc.
We also have specialization in designing printed casting and injection moulding tool / insert with advanced internal cooling pipelines.
| DMLS | SLM | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum build size (L x W x H) | 425 x 425 x 420 mm |
600 x 600 x 600 mm
400 x 400 x 1500 mm
600 x 1200 x 1500 mm*
|
| Standard lead time |
10 – 20 business days
For large volume, special dispatch schedule can be arranged |
10 – 20 business days
For large volume, special dispatch schedule can be arranged |
| Dimensional accuracy |
<10mm: ± 0.2% with a lower limit of ± 0.2 mm
>10mm: ± 2%
|
<10mm: ± 0.2% with a lower limit of ± 0.2 mm
>10mm: ± 2%
|
| Minimal wall thickness |
0.4mm (unsupported walls)
0.5mm (supported walls)
|
0.4mm (unsupported walls)
0.5mm (supported walls)
|
| Minimum hole diameter | 1.5mm | 1.5mm |
| Layer height | 50 μm | 50 μm |
*Due to limited number of machines, part at this dimension would be put into a waiting list. For very large parts, please check our LSF and WAAM service
For high volume production of highly complex geometry (not possible by MIM or die casting), investment casting with 3D printed pattern will be more economical.
Inodus offers the most comprehensive selection of materials. If your required material is not in the list, we will try our best to source it for you. If you are not sure which material is best for your application, our design engineers are here to help.
| Types | DMLS | SLM | Application considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium alloy | Light weight, good mechanical, thermal and electrical conductivity | ||
| AlSi10Mg | • | • | Widely used aluminium alloy for metal printing |
| AlSi7Mg | • | Slightly less susceptibility to corrosion after low-temp heat treatment | |
| Stainless steel | High strength, corrosion resistant | ||
| 304 | • | Lowest cost corrosion resistant option, resistant to oxidation | |
| 316 | • | High strength ductility and excellent corrosion resistance | |
| 316L | • | • | Lower carbon content, good for welding. Common in Jewellery and watch industry. |
| 321 | • | Excellent choice in elevated temperature environments up to 900℃. Not recommended for welding. | |
| 420 | • | Martensitic and magnetic, good corrosion resistance with increased strength and hardness. | |
| 15-5PH | • | • | Martensitic and magnetic, increased toughness and better corrosion resistance than 17-4PH. Used in aerospace industry for fasteners and structural components |
| 17-4PH | • | • | Martensitic and magnetic, predecessor of 15-5 |
| Titanium alloy | Light weight, high tensile strength and toughness, excellent corrosion resistance and bio-compatibility | ||
| Pure titanium | • | Corrosion resistance to acid, salt water and blood. | |
| Titanium TC4 (Ti-6Al-4V) | • | • | Most popular, significantly stronger than pure titanium, heat treatable |
|
Titanium TC4 DT
(based on Ti-6AI-4V ELI) |
• | Medium strength, developed specifically for aircraft frame and joining parts. Higher tensile strength and fracture toughness than TC4, weldable | |
|
Titanium TA15
(Ti–6Al–2Zr–1Mo–1V)
|
• | • | Enhanced mechanical property with ultrafine crystallites |
| Superalloy | High temperature performance, resistance to thermal creep deformation | ||
| Inconel 718 | • | • | High strength, 2x stronger than Inconel 625 |
| Inconel 625 | • | • | Medium strength, but better general corrosion resistance |
| Hastelloy X | • | Good oxidation resistance, high-temperature strength and exceptional stress-corrosion resistance, for use in highly aggressive chemical environments at elevated temperatures | |
| GH3536 (Hastelloy X similar) | • | Manufacture of aero-engine combustion chamber components and other high-temperature parts, 900 ℃ long-term use | |
| Copper alloy | Excellent corrosion resistance, highest thermal conductivity | ||
| Pure copper | • | Low in hardness, extremely ductile and highly malleable | |
| CuCrZr | • | High strength, high thermal and electrical conductivity | |
| CuSn10 | • | • | High strength and springiness at an adequate conductivity, can be soldered, with good sliding properties |
| Cobalt chrome alloy | Resistant to corrosion and compatible with dental ceramic | ||
| CoCrMo | • | Excellent mechanical properties and elevated temperature performance. Used in implants, turbomachinery, oil and gas industry. | |
| CoCrMoW | • | Common in prosthetics dental structures, avoiding bimetallism and the corrosive effect in contact with saliva. | |
| CoCrW | • | Better anti-corrosion properties than CoCrMo alloy for dental application | |
| Tool steel | Sophisticated cooling pipes can be printed compared to traditionally CNC-made tools and inserts, improve productivity and quality of cast and molded parts | ||
| H13 | • | High pressure die casting tool / insert | |
| MS1 | • | Plastic injection moulding tool / insert (close to H13) | |
| CX | • | Plastic injection moulding tool / insert (close to H136) | |
| Maraging steel | |||
| 18Ni300 | • | • | Ultra-high strength, good machinability |
| Tungsten alloy | |||
| W-25 (Tungsten Rhenium WRe) | • | Ideal for high temperature structural components. Seen in joining, medical, aerospace, furnace, and heat treat industries. |
Powder analysis and material traceability will be performed to meet your production requirements. The following table will help you understand the rough cost of each type of material. Note that powder cost is only one part of the total cost.
| Material type (powder form) | Typical price (from our supplier) |
|---|---|
| Aluminium alloy | £50/kg |
| Stainless steel | £35/kg |
| Titanium alloy | £190/kg |
| Superalloy | £120/kg |
| Copper alloy | £230/kg |
| Cobalt chrome alloy | £80/kg |
| Tool steel | £35/kg |
| Maraging steel | £35/kg |
| Tungsten alloy | £350/kg |
| Service | |
|---|---|
|
Heat treatment
(included by default, depending on materials)
|
Stress relief
Hot isostatic pressing (HIP)
Solution annealing
Aging
|
| Post-process machining |
3- and 5- axis CNC machining
Turning
Wire EDM
Tapping
|
|
Surface treatment
(depending on materials and geometry) |
Bead blasting
Anodizing
Electropolishing
Fluid jet polishing
Plating
Black oxide
|
|
Quality inspections and reports
(additional cost and lead time apply) |
CMM
X-ray |
We understand that sometimes your company will need to perform an audit or a third-party QC firm to approve the project. We are highly experienced in both and can make arrangements if you decide to visit the production site.
DMLS and SLM processes are functionally the same. Powdered metals are used and lasers fuse the metal particles.
The difference between these two processes is the temperature used to fuse the metal powder. SLM heats the metal powder until it fully melts into a liquid. DMLS does not melt the metal powder, so less energy is needed. The main reason why two names exist are due to patents, licenses and marketing.
Standard DMLS/SLM parts will have a finish similar of a sand casting. Additional CNC machining can be used to add more features such as tapped holes.
Walls below 1mm must have a wall height-to-thickness ratio of less than 40:1 or the structure may fall apart. Thin walls are wasteful and inefficient, best to create honeycomb or lattice structure internally to reduce cost.
Inconel® materials belong to a family of nickel/chromium alloys that are non-magnetic and take corrosion resistance to elevated temperatures. The Hastelloy® family of nickel/chromium/molybdenum alloys are ideal for use in highly aggressive chemical environments at elevated temperatures.