How Direct Metal Laser Sintering Works

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) quickly creates precise metal prototypes or production parts on demand, even with complex geometries. The process melts fine-metal powder, layer by layer, with a laser beam to create a final part with properties comparable to traditionally manufactured metal parts. Your DMLS parts can be produced using a variety of prototype and production metal materials, including stainless steel, maraging steel, aluminum, titanium, and more.

Model with supports created in laser sintering machine stays in working chamberLaser sintering machine metalman pours metal powder into the chamber of a laser sintering machine

Here’s how our DMLS additive solutions can help you:

  • Produce fully-dense metal parts with the same manufacturing versatility as non-metal 3D printed parts.
  • Remove the need for polymer binders, burn-off and infiltration steps, and heavy upfront tooling.
  • Prototype in various production-grade metals and alloys (aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, cobalt chrome, etc.)
  • Accelerate metal manufacturing of parts built directly from 3D CAD data.

Our Direct Metal Laser Sintering Capabilities

When you need quick-turn metal parts, UPTIVE DMLS solutions offer increased speed and versatility, even for metal components with complex geometries such as free-form surfaces, deep grooves, and three-dimensional cooling channels. Our systems are designed to reduce your lead times without sacrificing strength and performance.

Larger Component Printing

Electron Beam Melting
The Arcam EBM Q20plus allows us to expand the build envelope to produce your large components and optimal stacking of smaller ones, all with high-precision and better layer control.

More Parts Per Build

Electron Beam Melting
With a build plate 25% larger than standard mid-sized machines, our DMLS 3D printing solutions can produce more of your parts per build and reduce soot interference with multi-layer scanning.

Advanced Material Options

Advanced Material Options
Choosing DMLS materials like stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, and superalloys deliver strength and malleability, as well as protection against corrosion and extreme temperature changes.

Quality Finishing Options

Quality Finishing Options
From bead blasting to powder coating and more, our consultative process covers a wide range of DMLS finishing options to help achieve your desired part performance and aesthetic.

DMLS Materials Comparison

MaterialDescriptionIdeal forFinishesSpec Sheet
Aluminum (AlSi10Mg)Additive metal alloy known for its high Strength-to-Weight ratio for strong, light weight parts and corrosion resistantAerospace, automotive and industrial manufacturing application and complex geometries with intricate featuresMachining for smooth, precise finishes; anodizin, powder coatingSpec Sheet
Cobalt ChromeHigh-strength, wear-resistant alloy It has excellent corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and can be easily welded or brazedAerospace, medical, and dental applicationsSandblasting, polishing, electroplatingSpec Sheet

This a sampling of DMLS materials we work with. See more information on available materials and specs here.

Why Customers Choose UPTIVE

  • "The parts arrived yesterday morning, several days early! Thank you, everything looks great."
    Ian, Solar Power Company
  • "It is always a pleasure to have a vendor that provides quality, experience, and always shows as much care for your order, and your product as you do!"
    Matt Davis, WR Stylus

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