Laser-powder-bed fusion (L-PBF) is evolving to have capabilities similar to that of CNC machining. Using advanced metal powders has enabled L-PBF to utilize processes that mirror the roughing and finishing cycles in CNC machining.
Innovations in L-PBF are helping to advance metal additive manufacturing (AM). This progress is resulting in metal AM processes that produce reliable and consistent results, unprecedented productivity levels, and are cost efficient. Metal 3D printers can now combine speed with precision to meet diverse part requirements.
Advanced L-PBF processes like beam shaping and high-powered lasers can manufacture high-quality industrial parts at extraordinary print speeds. However, despite the progress and the benefits L-PBF provides, there are barriers to adopting this advanced level of metal AM production. For one, there is only a handful of companies that can actually perform these advanced L-PBF processes. There also aren’t a lot of suppliers of the required components and powders used in these processes.
But this technology is helping to deliver a new level of productivity for the metal AM industry. These new innovations in L-PBF are breaking the mold on what’s possible and driving the imagination of the AM industry to new heights.