Machines

Selective Laser Melting, or SLM, is used in this 3D printing technology to manipulate metal powders into a working model. The metal powder is melted by a highly focused laser to create the desired shape. The three-dimensional model is then created by melting (sintering) one layer of the model at a time, each in succession. The entire process is housed in a special protective atmosphere to maintain a safe work environment. The sintering chamber keeps the material from reacting to an oxygen atmosphere. With selective sintering of metal models, time is saved while producing a short series run or a prototype model. Rather than weeks using a traditional method, this process can complete a project within days or even hours.