SLM Selective Laser Melting: 119 models

SLM, Selective Laser Melting, is a laser powder bed fusion process for metals (LPBF). A recoater spreads a thin layer of metal powder across the build plate, one or more fiber lasers fully melt the contour and hatch of that layer, the plate drops by one layer thickness and the cycle repeats. The chamber is flooded with argon or nitrogen to keep residual oxygen low. Typical alloys are aluminum, titanium, nickel-based superalloys, cobalt-chrome, tool and stainless steels, and copper. Parts are fully dense and mechanically comparable to castings, but they need support structures, heat treatment and usually machining of functional surfaces. The term SLM is closely associated with SLM Solutions; EOS calls the same underlying principle DMLS, which has its own page here.

Under SLM we list the machines from Nikon SLM Solutions (SLM 125, 280, 500, 800, NXG XII 600), Concept Laser and Colibrium Additive (Mlab, M1 and M2 cusing, M Line, X Line), Renishaw (AM250, AM400, RenAM 500 series), Realizer (SLM 50 to 300i), Farsoon (FS121M to FS1521M), the 3D Systems ProX DMP and DMP Flex/Factory lines, and AMCM. Commonly offered second-hand are the SLM 280, M2 cusing, Mlab cusing, AM250 and AM400.

For a used machine, the laser hours and the condition of the laser source, scanner and protective window matter most, followed by the filter system, recoater blades and the gas tightness of the process chamber. Clarify material qualification (open or vendor-locked parameters), software licenses, the availability of service and spare parts after the ownership changes some manufacturers have gone through, powder handling with an ATEX vacuum and sieving station, and the utilities required for power, inert gas and compressed air. Below you will find the technical data of all 119 SLM models in our catalog, together with those currently offered second-hand.