Metal 3D Printing Services
OUR PROCESS
As industry leaders in the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology, we can help you achieve your manufacturing goals.
Product developers and companies new to this advanced technology, can rely on our skilled and experienced metal 3D printing team to guide you through the entire process.
DESIGN
Talk to us early in your design process to determine whether metal 3D printing is suitable for the printing of your parts. Having more than 10 years’ experience in metal 3D printing, we can look at your design and assist with your project.
INITIAL MANUFACTURING
Often the 3D metal printing journey begins with printing a prototype; this is a good way to make and assess part design and functionality.
PRODUCTION
This stage comes after the initial design is working well and both client and our team are confident in the part repeatability. A large number of our clients have moved into full-scale production of their parts using our 3D printing services. For the right products, this is a very cost-effective option.
PRODUCTION
Our Machines and Build Sizes
At RAM3D we have twelve Renishaw machines and one SLM machine running Titanium 64, Stainless Steel 15-5ph, Stainless Steel 316L, Inconel 718 and 625.
What metals do we print with?
TITANIUM 64
It is hailed for its versatile, reliable and superior qualities. It boasts the highest strength to weight ratio of engineering metals, is extremely corrosion resistant. Often used for bicycle parts and medical applications.
Applications
- Sports & performance parts
- Defence parts
- Marine industry components
- Industrial & specialty parts
- Aerospace components
- Medical applications
INCONEL 718
A nickel super alloy used for high temperature applications used in a variety of industries such as aerospace, chemical processing, marine engineering and pollution-control equipment.
Applications
- Defence components
- Geothermal
- Oil & Gas
- Exhaust manifolds
- Engine sumps
- Jet engines
STAINLESS STEEL 15-5ph
It provides high strength, moderate corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties at temperatures up to 600oF (316oC). Stainless Steel 15-5ph is a hardenable stainless up to 48 HRC. This alloy is widely used in the aerospace, chemical, petrochemical, food processing, paper and general metalworking industries.
Applications
- Aerospace components
- Engine parts
- Fittings and gears
- High pressure parts such as valves
INCONEL 625
A nickel-chronium alloy known for its high strength level at elevated temperatures and its corrosion resistance.
Applications
- Energy sector components
- Oil & Gas parts
- Propulsion components
- Heat exchanger casings
STAINLESS STEEL 316L
Has excellent corrosion resistance in a wide range of media. This makes it particularly desirable for applications where exposure to salt is an issue. It is mainly used in the food sector, marine and dairy industries.
Applications
- Boat fittings
- Architectural components
- Food and beverage processing equipment
- Valve and pump parts
New Metal Powder Coming Soon!
We will be introducing a new powder soon, watch this space.
OUR STANDARD FINISH
Once the part has been 3D printed and the support material removed, the part undergoes a media blasting process. Media blasting gives a more uniform finish, and it suits most applications where the customer doesn't require a machined finish. In the areas where there has been support structures, it may be a little rougher.
VIBRATORY POLISHING
We can take our standard finished part, put it into the vibratory polisher, where it is immersed in mixed ceramic media and left for a period of time, until it becomes polished. This process will take sharp edges and corners off certain features.
HEAT TREATMENT
Just like machined parts, metal 3D printed parts can have a specific heat treatment and we can provide that service in one of our in-house furnaces.
Spacecraft parts that we 3D print in stainless steel 15-5ph and Inconel can be heat treated in argon. Heat treating in argon ensures the parts do not have any oxide layers on the surface, it provides a cleaner and more reliable component.
All our titanium 3D printed parts are heat treated in order to:
- Reduce residual stresses developed during fabrication (stress relieving)
Contact us for more information on the heat treatments we offer and costs.
QUALITY CONTROL
By focusing on the quality of the 3D prints we produce, we pride ourselves in a rigorous testing process to ensure the 3D print matches our quality control requirements. We’ve developed our own system which collects data on each build to ensure traceability. It has enabled us to understand the important factors influencing the selective laser melting process (SLM), from laser parameters to gas flow and powder quality.
For more technical information on DfAM (Designing for Additive Manufacturing) and more.