Complex Structures Directly from the Computer

The suitability of different methods of additive manufacturing depends on the material and objective.  Now that “3D printing” has been historically established for a long time in the processing of plastics, it is now increasingly gaining ground in the production of metal parts. Companies in Europe rely especially on the laser beam melting process. Metal powder is typically applied to a working surface in thin layers of 20-60 µm. A laser beam melts the material specifically at the points where a solid structure is to be created.  The base plate is then lowered accordingly so that a new layer of powder can be applied. This creates the desired structure layer by layer.  After processing, the excess unprocessed powder is removed.  In contrast to conventional manufacturing processes, casting molds and tools are not required in additive manufacturing. This accelerates production and enables an almost infinite variety of shapes.