top of page
SLM Technology
SLM
What is SLM or PBLF?
Selective Laser Melting (commonly known as metallic 3D printing or PBLF powder Bed Laser Fusion), consists of the iterative superposition of layers of metallic powder of approx. 50 microns on a table and its subsequent fusion by means of a laser.
The sum of the sections generates a very dense piece (approx. 99.5%) of the chosen metal and of great precision.
Schema of SLM machine
It is a suitable technique for the manufacture of:
· Pieces with high mechanical and thermal resistance
· Light components
· Geometric designs complex
· Parts with internal cavities
· Functional prototypes
Parts obtained at the end of 3D printing.
SLM machines
We have seven machines Renishaw, each dedicated exclusively to one material. This allows us to increase productivity, better control the process and reduce manufacturing costs.
Of these machines, five are Ren AM 500Q with 4 lasers and two RenAM 500M monolaser.
Working volume: 250x250x320 mm
Productive improvements
· Dedicated machines per material - Eliminates the risk of contamination.
· Screening and automatic recirculation of powder - Increases the productivity of the process.
· Integrated vision system - Failure analysis and control.
· Spectral real-time monitoring - Quality control.
Máquinas
Materiales
Materials
In MADIT, each machine is dedicated to a material, so that productivity is increased and the process is better controlled. The available materials are the most common in the industry:
ALUMINUM
AlSi10Mg / A13600 / 3.2381
- Lightness
- Corrosion resistance
- High thermal conductivity
- High electrical conductivity
STAINLESS STEEL
316L / S31673 / 1.4404
- High resistance up to 300ºC
- Corrosion resistance
- High ductility
- Welding facility
HARD STEEL
1.2709 / 18Ni300 / K93120
- Very high hardness
- Very high resistance
TITANIO
Ti6Al4V - Grado 23 / 5
- Ligereza
- Resistencia muy alta
- Resistencia a la corrosión
- Biocompatible
INCONEL 718
UNS N07718 / DIN 2.4668
- High temperature
- Corrosion resistance
- High mechanical resistance
STEEL 17-4PH
UNS S17400 / DIN 1.4542
- Corrosion resistance
- High mechanical resistance
- Soldabilidad
Periodically, the quality of the manufacturing process is verified: the results of the parameters are qualified by means of metallographic evaluations and mechanical tests are carried out.
Metallographic cuts for qualification of manufacturing parameters.
Periodic tensile tests for characterization of mechanical properties.
Post-procesos
Post-processing SLM
3D printing is only a small part of the metal additive manufacturing process. In order to deliver the final piece, it is necessary to carry out different post-processes according to the needs of each project. In order to perform these operations quickly and in a low cost, Madit has the following capabilities:
Internal capabilities
· Heat treatment furnace
· Band saw
· Lathe / Milling Machine
· 3D Scanner
· Ultrasonic cleaning
. Sandblasting
. Vibration polishing
External capabilities
· EDM - Wire cutting
· 5-axis machining
· TIG and MIG welding
. Surface treatments
. Paint
Polishing capacities
Metal parts manufactured using SLM technology have a high roughness of between 6 and 15 Ra. For this reason, polishing operations are sometimes necessary. These processes allow the roughness to be reduced and the design requirements to be met.
Hand polishing
The high density of the pieces allows its surface to be polished using different manual polishing tools such as emery or sandpaper .
The final material is completely dense and can go as far as mirror finishing.
Sandblasting
Blasting is a technique for surface cleaning by impact.
An abrasive jet of particles is fired by compressed air, manually or automatically.
Vibro-finishing
It is a polishing technique based on the mechanical erosion of pieces by vibrating inside a vat together with abrasive stones. Depending on the type of stone, the additives and the cycle time, different finishes can be achieved, from matte to bright.
Acabados
Anti-corrosion Treatments
Sometimes, due to the functionality of the piece, it is necessary to carry out surface treatments that improve its behavior in the work environment. This way, different treatments can be performed to improve its resistance to oxidation .
Aesthetic Finishes
Finally, it is possible to carry out different surface finishes in order to achieve the desired aesthetics in artistic or product design projects.
bottom of page