SLM Metal 3D Printer
Selective Laser Melting
ChanHonTech, offers industrial 3D printing equipment and solutions. We’ll cover everything you need to know about Stereolithography files, including their structure, use cases, and how they facilitate 3D printing.
What Is Selective Laser Melting?
Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is an advanced powder-bed fusion technology that transforms metallic powders into fully dense, high-performance parts by melting successive layers with a high-power laser. During the SLM Printing process, a thin layer of metal powder—commonly titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, or nickel alloys—is evenly distributed across the build platform, then selectively fused according to 3D CAD data. Once one layer is complete, the build platform lowers and fresh powder is applied, allowing complex geometries, internal lattices, and conformal cooling channels to be realized in a single, monolithic component. Because SLM parts boast nearly 100% density and exhibit exceptional mechanical properties, this technique is ideal for aerospace, medical implants, and tooling applications where strength, precision, and biocompatibility are paramount.
How Does Selective Laser Melting (SLM) 3D Printing Work?
Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is an additive manufacturing process that creates fully dense metal parts by fusing metallic powder particles together using a high-powered laser. Unlike powder-bed fusion processes that may leave parts slightly porous, SLM achieves near-100% density, producing strong, functional components directly from CAD data.
Preparation and Setup
Design and File Preparation
A 3D model is created in CAD software and exported as an STL or 3MF file.
Specialized slicing software converts the 3D geometry into a series of thin, horizontal layers and generates machine-specific build instructions (G-code or equivalent).
Powder Bed and Build Platform
The build chamber is filled with a fine layer of metal powder (e.g., stainless steel, titanium, aluminum alloys).
The build platform is leveled just above the powder bed surface to ensure a uniform layer thickness—typically between 20 µm and 100 µm.
The chamber is sealed and often purged with an inert gas (argon or nitrogen) to prevent oxidation of the molten metal.
Printing Process (Layer-by-Layer)
Recoating
A recoater blade or roller spreads a fresh, even layer of powder across the build platform.
Selective Melting
A high-power fiber laser, directed by galvanometer-controlled mirrors or a movable gantry, traces the cross-section of the part in the powder bed.
Wherever the laser touches, it instantaneously melts and fuses the powder particles into a solid, fully dense track.
Layer Consolidation
After the layer is complete, the build platform lowers by one layer thickness.
The recoater spreads a new layer of powder, and the laser again fuses the next slice of the model.
This cycle repeats until all layers have been melted and the full part geometry is built up.
Selective Laser Melting 3D Printing Services
Our Selective Laser Melting (SLM) 3D printing services deliver fully dense, production-grade metal components with unmatched precision and mechanical performance. Leveraging advanced metal additive manufacturing technology, we process high-strength powders—such as titanium alloys (Ti6Al4V), stainless steel (316L), and aluminum (AlSi10Mg)—to produce complex lattice structures, conformal cooling channels, and custom jigs without tooling costs. With layer resolutions down to 20 µm and tight tolerances of ±0.1 mm, our SLM platform supports rapid prototyping, low-volume production, and on-demand replacement parts for industries spanning aerospace, medical, and automotive. Post-build heat treatments and CNC finishing ensure optimal microstructure, surface quality, and fatigue resistance. Partner with us for turnkey SLM solutions—from design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) and powder qualification to build optimization and stringent quality control—to accelerate your product development and unlock next-generation metal part performance.
Our experts apply Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) strategies to optimize your CAD models for Selective Laser Melting, reducing support structures and maximizing build efficiency. From topology-optimized lattices to integrated conformal cooling channels, we tailor geometries for weight reduction, heat management, and performance—enabling you to achieve lightweight, high-strength metal parts that traditional subtractive methods simply can’t match.
Post-Processing & Heat Treatment: To achieve your desired surface finish and mechanical properties, we offer:
Stress Relief & Solution Annealing: to optimize microstructure and reduce internal stresses
Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP): for fully dense parts with improved fatigue life
CNC Machining & Thread Tapping: for precision interfaces and tight tolerances
Bead Blasting & Polishing: for controlled surface roughness and aesthetic appeal
Our SLM 3D Printing Services offer a range of build volumes and price points.
SLM 3D Printing Applications
Delivering the smoothest surface finish of any additive manufacturing process, the quality of SLM parts makes this versatile technology great for:
General
- Design verification models for appearance and proof-of-concept models
- Functional prototypes and models for form and fit testing
- Complex assemblies
- Under-the-hood components
- Mass customization
Tooling and patterns
- Investment casting patterns
- Sacrificial patterns for metal casting
- Custom assembly jigs and fixtures
- Tools, molds and dies
- Military hardware
Rapid Manufacturing
- Aerospace hardware
- Medical and healthcare
- Electronics; packaging, connectors
- Homeland security
- Military hardware
Industrial SLM 3D Printers
Only 0.88㎡ footprint, ideal for office deployment. Real-time chamber and recoater monitoring for quality control. 500W laser and advanced control ensure efficient precision.
Up to 0.05 mm accuracy in batch printing.Customizable or multiple layer thickness from 0.02 mm to 0.1 mm. Closed-loop powder system for automatic sieving and feeding, boosting efficiency and reducing waste.
Up to 0.05 mm accuracy in batch printing.Customizable or multiple layer thickness from 0.02 mm to 0.1 mm. Optional closed-loop powder system for automatic sieving and feeding, boosting efficiency and reducing waste.
Ideal for large-scale metal parts, enabling flexible production. Single 1000W or quad 500W lasers for versatile applications. 3-axis scanning and real-time monitoring ensure top build quality.
712×412×390 mm build size supports large-scale production. CAMS system enables uninterrupted and efficient build cycles. Up to 8 lasers deliver faster and scalable production output.
φ1530 mm platform, up to 1650 mm height for huge parts. Equipped with 16 or 32 lasers to maximize throughput. Square cartridge offers 3,862L—among the largest available.