Direct Metal Laser Sintering
Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) is an industrial 3D printing process that builds fully functional - rapid metal prototypes and production parts in 7 days or less. A range of metals produce final parts that can be used for end-use applications.
DMLS design guidelines will help you understand capabilities and limitations.
Why Choose DMLS For Your 3D Printing Project?
DMLS materials are generally accepted to be equal or better than those of wrought materials. DMLS is also ideal when the geometry or structure of the part is not possible in any other process (for weight saving designs using honeycomb or latice structures for example). Protolabs can also produce parts for implant medical applications. We offer a range of secondary CNC machining services to further enhance your DMLS project.
DMLS material data sheets can be found in our Material Comparison Guide
How Does Metal 3D Printing Work?
The DMLS machine begins begins the 3d metal printing process by sintering each layer—first the support structures to the base plate, then the part itself—with a laser aimed onto a bed of metallic powder. After a cross-section layer of powder is micro-welded, the build platform shifts down and a recoater blade moves across the platform to deposit the next layer of powder into an inert build chamber. The process is repeated layer by layer until the build is complete.
When the build finishes, an initial brushing is manually administered to parts to remove a majority of loose powder, followed by the appropriate heat-treat cycle while still fixtured in the support systems to relieve any stresses. Parts are removed from the platform and support structures are removed from the parts, then finished with any needed bead blasting and deburring. Final DMLS parts are near 100 percent dense.
- 1 to 50+ parts
- Shipped in 1 to 7 days
- prototyping in production-grade materials
- functional, end-use parts
- reducing metal components in an assembly
What is Industrial 3D Printing?
Proto Labs is the world's fastest source for custom prototypes and low-volume production parts. Our high-speed 3D printing service uses advanced 3D printing technologies to create parts ranging from highly complex prototypes to functional, end-use parts. A range of plastic and metal materials are available through three additive processes: stereolithography (SL), selective laser sintering (SLS) and direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). Get 1 to 50+ parts in as fast as one day with 3D printing at Proto Labs.
Watch: Multi Jet Fusion: What is it Used For?
For fast, quality results, Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is unparalleled as a 3D printing process. It’s able to produce functional nylon prototypes and end-use production parts in a single day, featuring quality surface finishes and fine feature resolution. It also offers more consistent mechanical properties than similar processes like selective laser sintering.
Using an inkjet array to repeatedly apply fusing agents across a bed of nylon powder, followed by fusion into a solid layer via heating elements, MJF is able to offer complex and detailed features. Protolabs offers a commercial-grade unfilled Nylon 12 material to create durable parts. Multi Jet Fusion offers a fast and advanced way to create parts on demand. Discover more with this short video.
Design Guidelines
Resources
How DMLS is a Reliable Additive Alternative for Complex Metal Parts
3D Printing Technologies for Prototyping and Production
Designing for the DMLS Process
ISAR Gears
