Laser powder-bed fusion, run as a production process
Metal 3D printing (SLM / DMLS) builds a part layer by layer from a CAD model, so geometry that would need five setups on a machining centre comes out as one solid piece: internal channels, lattice structures, undercuts, conformal cooling and topology-optimised shapes. We use it both as a prototyping tool and as a small-batch production method.
Every file is checked by an engineer before it goes on the machine. You get the printability report with the quotation, not after the parts arrive - wall thickness, overhang angles, support strategy, shrinkage compensation for your alloy, and the finishing route. If a feature will not survive printing, we say so and propose a fix.
What we can hold
Typical values for the alloys we run most. Exact limits depend on geometry and alloy - send the file and we confirm the numbers for your part in writing.
| Parameter | Capability |
|---|---|
| Process | SLM / DMLS - laser powder bed fusion |
| Materials | Ti-6Al-4V, stainless steel 316L, AlSi10Mg, tool steel 1.2709 |
| Maximum part size | Up to 250 x 250 x 300 mm per build; larger parts printed in sections and joined |
| Layer thickness | 20-60 um |
| Dimensional tolerance | +/-0.1 mm on critical features, or +/-0.3% for large dimensions |
| Minimum wall | 0.4 mm (0.8 mm recommended for load-bearing walls) |
| Surface as built | Ra 6-10 um; machined, sand blasted, vibro-polished or mirror polished on request |
| Post-processing | Stress relief, support removal, machining allowances, PVD coating (gold, gunmetal, black) |
| Lead time | 5-10 working days for typical parts, 7-30 days for batches |
| Minimum order | 1 piece. Batch pricing from 50 pieces |
Tolerance figures apply to critical features after stress relief. As-built surfaces are Ra 6-10 um; machined or polished faces can be brought to Ra 0.8 um.
Parts we print every week
Metal printing pays for itself when a part is complex, light, or needed in small numbers. These are the four cases buyers bring us most often:
- ✓Conformal cooling inserts and mould tooling
- ✓Lightweight brackets and topology-optimised frames
- ✓Lattice and porous structures for grips, filters and medical parts
- ✓Replacement parts that are obsolete or slow to machine
- ✓Jewellery, medallions and decorative metal pieces
- ✓Small-batch production before injection moulding is justified
Five things to check before you send the file
None of these are hard rules, but fixing them in CAD saves a revision cycle:
- Wall thickness - keep load-bearing walls at 0.8 mm or more; 0.4 mm is the floor for cosmetic features.
- Overhangs - anything below 45 degrees from vertical needs support, and support removal costs money. Chamfer instead of a sharp overhang where you can.
- Trapped powder - hollow parts need drain holes of at least 3 mm, or the unused powder stays inside.
- Holes and threads - holes print about 0.1-0.2 mm undersize; we drill or ream them, or cut threads afterwards.
- Build orientation - the layer direction decides where the part is weakest. Tell us the load direction and we orient it for you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does metal 3D printing cost?
Price is driven by four things: the volume of metal actually melted, the height of the build (time on the machine), the support structure that has to be cut away, and the finishing you ask for. A palm-sized titanium bracket usually lands between $40 and $150 for one piece; the same part at 200 pieces is typically 40-60% cheaper per unit. Send a file and we return a line-by-line breakdown, not a single number.
What is the difference between SLM and DMLS?
Both are laser powder-bed processes and the names are used almost interchangeably. SLM (selective laser melting) is normally associated with single-alloy powders and full melting; DMLS (direct metal laser sintering) originally referred to partial sintering of alloy powders. In practice the machines, tolerances and part properties you get from us are the same - we quote whichever alloy fits your application.
Can you print just one piece?
Yes. Minimum order is one piece. Prototyping is roughly half of the metal work we run, and there is no tooling cost to amortise, so a single unit is a normal order for us.
Do you offer PVD coating on printed parts?
Yes. Gold, gunmetal, black and brushed PVD coatings are available on titanium and stainless steel parts, plus sand blasting, vibration polishing and mirror polishing. Because the coating line is in the same group as the printing shop, we control both the surface preparation and the final colour, which is where most coating defects come from.
Can you machine the critical faces after printing?
Yes, and for mating surfaces you usually should. We leave 0.3-0.5 mm of stock on faces you flag as critical, then face, bore or ream them after stress relief so the tolerance is held on a machined surface rather than an as-built one.
Get your quote within 48 hours
Upload a 3D file (STL, STEP, OBJ, 3MF) or just a photo / drawing. An engineer checks printability, flags anything that will not print, and replies with a clear price breakdown within 48 hours. From one prototype to 1,000+ pieces.
Prefer email? dimension3dHAN@gmail.com