Metal 3D Printing
Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) is a metal 3D printing technology that uses lasers to fuse powdered metals together, growing parts additively, layer by layer with little waste. The result is fully dense, complex pieces, created directly from 3D CAD geometry within hours.
Metal 3D Printing Solutions
Visser Precision utilizes metal additive manufacturing to supply companies in the aerospace, automotive, industrial and manufacturing fields with metal parts, including:
- Out-of-production components, where cast tooling is no longer available
- Metal parts that require internal passages
- Prototype metal parts, before castings have been produced
- Complex geometries that otherwise not be machined
What Sets Visser Precision Apart in Metal Additive Manufacturing
Visser Precision offers a variety of capabilities in coordination with metal 3D printing services, such as complementary heat treatment, precision machining and mold building. Functional testing and precision inspection are carried out on-site, which are backed by AS9100:D and ISO 9001:2015 certifications. Additionally, Visser Precision is ITAR registered.
Start Your Metal 3D Printing Project Today
Visser Precision goes above and beyond to be a reliable metal additive manufacturing partner and encourages clients to utilize all in-house capabilities to their advantage. Contact us today to talk to a team member about any questions or ideas!
Metal Additive Manufacturing Machines
Visser Precision goes above and beyond to be a reliable metal additive manufacturing partner and utilizes all in-house capabilities to your advantage. Contact us today to talk to a team member!
| Machine | QTY | Laser Power | # Lasers | X(mm) | Y(mm) | Z(mm) | |
| EOS M280 | 1 | 400W | 1 | 250 | 250 | 325 | |
| EOS M290 | 2 | 400W | 1 | 250 | 250 | 325 | |
| EOS M400-1 | 1 | 1000W | 1 | 400 | 400 | 400 | |
| EOS M400-4 | 2 | 400W | 4 | 400 | 400 | 400 | |
Stock Materials
Visser Precision typically has these materials in inventory to run full-volume builds immediately.
Nickel Alloys
IN625
IN718
Hastelloy X
Haynes 214
Aluminum
A7075-RAM2
AlSi10Mg
A7050-RAM2
A1000-RAM10
A6061-RAM2
Maraging Steel
Maraging 300/ 1.2709
Titanium
Ti 6-Al-4-V
Ti 6-Al-4-V ELI
Stainless Steel
17-4
316L
Cobalt Chrome
CoCrMo
Copper
GrCOP-84
Nickel Alloys
Characteristics
- Good High-Temperature Mechanical Properties (Tensile, Creep, Rupture)
- Excellent Corrosion and Oxidation Resistances
Applications
- Marine / Offshore
- Oil & Gas
- Chemical Processing
- Power Generation
- Aerospace
- Propulsion & Combustion Zone components
- Nuclear
Characteristics
- Good high-temperature mechanical properties (tensile, creep, rupture, fatigue)
- Good cryogenic mechanical properties
Applications
- Aerospace
- Jet Engines
- Cryogenic (storage tanks)
- Nuclear
- Propulsion & Combustion Zone components
- Gas Turbines
- Petrochemical
Characteristics
- Good corrosion resistance
- Excellent oxidation resistance
- Good high-temperature mechanical properties (strength, ductility, creep)
Applications
- Combustion zone components / Gas turbines (transition ducts, combustor cans, spray bars, flame holders, afterburners, tailpipes, cabin heaters)
- Industrial furnaces
- Chemical processing (catalyst support grids, muffles, retorts, furnace baffles, pyrolysis tubing)
- Aerospace
- Gas Turbines
- Petrochemical
Characteristics
- Good corrosion resistance
- Good high-temperature mechanical properties (creep strength)
Applications
- Combustion Components
- Gas Turbines
Aluminum Alloys
Characteristics
- Light weight (low density)
- Good thermal and electrical conductivities
- Good strength and hardness
- Good corrosion resistance
- Easily machined
- Fast build rates and thin walls/features
Applications
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Industrial
- Performance Motorsports
- Rapid Prototypes
- Heat Exchangers
www.elementum3d.com/aluminum/
Titanium Alloys
Characteristics
- Low weight / density
- High strength and toughness
- Good general corrosion resistance (especially salts)
- Good properties in cryogenic environments
- Low thermal expansion
- Good biocompatibility
- Enhanced ductility/fatigue for extra low interstitial (ELI)
Applications
- Aerospace
- Oil & Gas
- Racing
- Automotive
- Chemical Processing
- Power Generation
- Medical (ELI)
- Marine
- Sporting Goods
- Industrial
Steel Alloys
Characteristics
- High strength, fracture toughness and wear resistance
- Easily hardenable with good dimensional stability
- Easily machined
Applications
- Molds and inserts (w/ conformal cooling) for injection molding and die casting
- Tooling (punching and extrusion)
- Shafting
- Gears
- Fasteners
- Munitions
- Missile and rocket motor casings
Stainless Steel Alloys
Characteristics
- Great corrosion resistance
- Good elevated temperature mechanical properties (tensile strength, creep, stress-rupture strength)
- Good cryogenic properties
Applications
- Food Processing
- Chemical Processing
- Laboratory Equipment
- Pharmaceuticals
- Pulp and Paper
- Marine
- Heat Exchangers
- Nuclear
- Aerospace
- Medical Instruments
- Oil and Gas
Characteristics
- Good elevated temperature properties (strength, toughness, corrosion resistance, ductility)
- Good corrosion resistance
Applications
- Marine
- Nuclear
- Pulp and Paper
- Food
- Oil and Gas
- Aerospace
- Chemical Processing
Cobalt Chrome Alloys
Copper Alloys
Industrial Applications for Metal 3D Printing
Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is a process that deposits material in layers based on a digital file to create a three-dimensional object. Metal 3D printing is a type of additive manufacturing that uses metal to create three-dimensional objects.
Despite being a relatively new technology, Visser Precision’s Metal 3D printing has already revolutionized the manufacturing industry by providing a more efficient and cost-effective way to produce metal parts. Furthermore, our metal 3D printing allows for unique design possibilities that traditional manufacturing methods do not allow for.
As a result, metal 3D printing is being used for a variety of industrial applications, ranging from the production of medical implants to the creation of customized automobile parts. As the technology continues to develop, more innovative and efficient uses for metal 3D printing will likely be discovered.
Aerospace and Defense
Existing aircraft components can be repaired using 3D printing, making them easier and less expensive to maintain. As technology advances, more aerospace and defense applications will likely emerge for 3D printing.
- Functional prototypes: These are used to test the functionality of a product before mass production. 3D printing allows for the quick and easy creation of prototypes, saving time and money in the long run.
- Tooling: The various tools and machines used to produce parts and products are referred to as tooling in the manufacturing industry. Custom tooling can be created using 3D printing, allowing for more efficient and effective production processes.
- Lightweight components: One of the main advantages of 3D printing is that it can be used to create lightweight components. This is especially beneficial in the aerospace and defense industries, where weight is a significant concern.
- Small surveillance drones: Small surveillance drones are increasingly used by the military and law enforcement for various purposes. 3D printing offers a cost-effective way to produce these drones, which can be quickly and easily deployed in multiple situations.
- Jet engine parts: Jet engines are complex machines with numerous intricate features. These parts can be created using 3D printing and assembled quickly and easily.
- Submarine hulls: Submarines are watertight, making them difficult to build using traditional manufacturing methods. However, 3D printing offers a new way to create submarine hulls that are strong and durable.
Healthcare
3D printing revolutionizes the healthcare industry by providing patient-specific implants, prosthetics, and customizable medical devices. The technology is also used to create models of organs and body parts for pre-operative planning and training medical students.
In addition, 3D printing is being used to create tissue and organ substitutes for use in research and drug development. The potential applications of 3D printing in healthcare are practically limitless, and the technology is already significantly impacting the field.
- Medical and dental implants are artificial devices that replace missing body parts. Custom implants created for each patient individually via 3D printing are possible.
- Prosthetics are artificial limbs that are used to replace missing body parts. 3D printing can be used to create custom prosthetics that are specifically designed for each patient.
- Jaw implants are artificial devices that are used to replace missing teeth. 3D printing can be used to create custom jaw implants that are specifically designed for each patient.
- Orthopedic implants are artificial devices that are used to replace missing bones or joints. 3D printing can be used to create custom orthopedic implants that are specifically designed for each patient.
Automotive
3D printing has become an increasingly popular manufacturing technology in recent years, with a wide range of potential applications in the automotive industry. One of the most promising uses for 3D printing is creating prototype parts and components.
- Topology optimized bracket: Brackets are one of the most commonly used components in the automotive industry. 3D printing offers a cost-effective way to create topology-optimized brackets specifically designed for each application.
- Engine parts: Engine parts are complex and often require special tooling and fixtures for manufacturing. 3D printing offers a new way to create engine parts that are strong and durable.
- Air and fluid handling: Air and fluid handling components are often required in the automotive industry. 3D printing offers a new way to create these components quickly and easily.
- Energy and fluid management: Energy and fluid management is critical in the automotive industry. 3D printing offers a new way to create energy-efficient and fluid-management systems.
Industrial Tooling
Industrial tooling is the process of creating tools used in manufacturing or other industrial processes. In the past, this process was typically done by machining, a subtractive manufacturing process involving removing material from a workpiece to create the desired shape. However, 3D printing is now being increasingly used for industrial tooling.
This additive manufacturing process involves building up a workpiece layer by layer to create the desired shape. 3D printing offers several advantages over traditional machining, including creating complex shapes, using a wider range of materials, and shorter lead times.
As a result, 3D printing is becoming an increasingly popular choice for industrial tooling applications. Here are some of the examples of its use:
- End-of-arm tooling: End-of-arm tooling is used in robotic applications to grip or move objects. 3D printing offers a new way to create custom end-of-arm tooling specifically designed for each application.
- Custom tools: Custom tools are often required for specific applications. 3D printing offers a new way to create customized tools specifically designed for each application.
3D printing isn’t just for plastic anymore
The industrial world is being transformed by metal 3D printing. Its ability to produce high-quality parts quickly and cheaply has made it the preferred manufacturing method for everything from prototypes to finished goods.
If you aren’t already using metal 3D printing in your business, now is the time to look into how this technology can help your bottom line. Contact us today to learn more about our metal 3D printing services, and let us help you get started!