Introduction of Metal 3D Printing

Metal 3D printing (Additive Manufacturing) is a latest manufacturing technology which has the potential to revolutionize the way metal parts are being manufactured traditionally. Complex and intricate shapes can be produced without dies and tooling. It is a ‘Near Net Shape’ manufacturing process where parts are built very close to required dimensions, as precise as 0.2 mm accuracy. Metal printing has several sub technologies available in the market such as SLM, DMLS, DMD etc, and Incredible AM is working on SLM (Selective Laser Melting) process.

Our Process

The process of metal 3D printing begins with the CAD model of a part which needs to be produced. The model is sliced into thin layers of 50 microns, then the 3D printing device spreads a layer of metal powder on build plate which is melted by LASER as per CAD model dimensions continuously. The part gets built layer by layer over the period of time. They are mechanically strong and dense and can be directly used in engineering applications.

Features of Metal 3D printing

  • WEIGHT REDUCTION

    Metal 3D printing has made it possible to reduce a part weight through innovative lattice structures. The material is structured in such a way that it can sustain heavy load at lowest part to weight ratio.

  • CONFORMAL COOLING

    Conformal cooling channels can be 3D printed in a variety of cross sections such as rectangular, circular, elliptical, half-circular etc. Cooling channels can be circular, elliptical, spiral etc. These complex cooling channels improve the overall efficiency of the plastic part process resulting in reduction of cooling cycle time by up to 40% along with improvement in surface finish.

  • VIRTUAL INVENTORY

    OEM’s have to maintain a huge inventory throughout the year which incurs space as well as cost. However, with the advent of additive manufacturing, inventory can possibly be digitized and used whenever required

  • Applications

    • Defence
    • Aerospace
    • Automobile
    • Tools & dies
    • Education
    • Energy

Frequently Asked Question

What is metal 3D printing and how does it work at 3Dincredible?
Metal 3D printing (additive manufacturing) builds metal parts layer by layer from a CAD model using laser melting technology like SLM (Selective Laser Melting), producing dense, mechanically strong components.
What metals and alloys can be printed with metal 3D printing?
Metal 3D printing supports a wide range of alloys including Titanium (Ti6Al4V), Stainless Steel (SS 316L), Cobalt-Chromium, Aluminium (AlSi10Mg), Maraging steel, and Inconel variants — suitable for engineering and medical uses.
What industries use metal 3D printed parts?
Metal 3D printing serves industries like aerospace, defence, automobile, tooling & dies, energy sector, and medical applications due to its ability to produce complex shapes and lightweight structures.
What are the advantages of metal 3D printing compared to traditional manufacturing?
Advantages include the ability to create complex geometries, reduce part weight, shorten product development time, and consolidate multiple parts into one all without tooling.
How do I choose which parts should be 3D printed in metal?
Metal 3D printing is ideal for parts with complex geometries, lightweight lattice structures, internal cooling channels, or those that would be costly or impossible via traditional machining.
What is the difference between SLM and DMLS in metal 3D printing?
SLM fully melts metal powder to create dense parts, while DMLS sinters powder particles together. In practice, both produce high-strength metal components.
Is metal 3D printing suitable for mass production?
Metal 3D printing is best suited for low-to-medium volume production, complex geometries, and customized parts rather than high-volume mass production.
How much does metal 3D printing cost?
Costs depend on material type, part complexity, machine time, post-processing, and production volume. It is generally more cost-effective for low-volume or complex parts.
What are the advantages of metal 3D printing?
Key benefits include design freedom, lightweight structures, part consolidation, faster prototyping, reduced material waste, and customization.
What post processing is required after metal 3D printing?
Common post-processing steps include heat treatment, support removal, CNC machining, surface finishing, and quality inspection.

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