Explore all 3D printing solutions offered by GKN Powder Metallurgy through our two brands —

Forecast 3D

and

GKN Additive

Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS, SLM)

Metal Laser Sintering also known as DMLS, SLM or LPBF, is a 3D-printing process which creates highly complex and intricate metal parts

Get a quote

4-6 days

Average lead time for a prototype

8+

Materials to choose from

5 min

Typical time to place an order

From prototyping to production using Laser Powder Bed Fusion

The ultimate in speed and precision for metal 3D printing, Metal Laser Sintering — which includes Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), also known as SLM (Selective Laser Melting) — additively manufactures 99 percent dense metal prototypes and end-use parts.

Producing fine featured parts with the strength and durability comparable to forged parts, the Metal Laser Sintering process is ideal for functional components requiring fast lead times and a design freedom that don't exist with traditional machining.

Metal Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) is an additive manufacturing process where a high-powered laser selectively fuses fine metal powder layer by layer to build a 3D part. The laser melts the powder according to a digital design, creating complex and highly precise metal components. After each layer is fused, the powder bed lowers, and a new layer of powder is spread for the next layer of the build.

Benefits

Material options: wide variety of high-performance metal alloys and tailored materials available
Precision: highly precise and fine (down to 400 µm) to massive (up to 70 cm overall linear dimensions) product features
Digitalization: process chain for data monitoring and data science available
Economical: cost-efficient production through automated process chain

Materials

Select from a range of materials made for DMLS and SLM

Aluminum (AlSi10Mg)

Ideal for components requiring a combination of lightweight, complex geometries with good thermal properties

6-8
business days
typical lead time

Design guidelines

Maximum build volume

Unavailable

15.68" x 15.68" x 15.68"

Minimum feature size

Unavailable

0.030"

Minimum embossed details

Unavailable

0.019"

Minimum engraved details

Unavailable

0.039"

Minimum hole diameter

Unavailable

0.039"

Minimum pin diameter

Unavailable

0.059"

Minimum wall thickness (supported)

Unavailable

0.031"

Minimum wall thickness (unsupported)

Unavailable

0.031"

Resolutions and typical tolerances

0.001575 EOS Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001575 EOS Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

0.002756 EOS Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.002756 EOS Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Available colors

N/A

Stainless Steel 316L

Low carbon, non-magnetic, austenitic stainless steel that exhibits moderate to good strength, good fracture toughness, and has generally good corrosion resistance, especially intergranular corrosion

6-8
business days
typical lead time

Design guidelines

Maximum build volume

Unavailable

10.95" x 10.95" x 11.81"

Minimum feature size

Unavailable

0.019"

Minimum embossed details

Unavailable

0.019"

Minimum engraved details

Unavailable

0.039"

Minimum hole diameter

Unavailable

0.039"

Minimum pin diameter

Unavailable

0.059"

Minimum wall thickness (supported)

Unavailable

0.031"

Minimum wall thickness (unsupported)

Unavailable

0.031"

Resolutions and typical tolerances

0.001181 SLM Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001181 SLM Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

0.001969 SLM Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001969 SLM Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Available colors

N/A

Stainless Steel 17-4PH

Martensitic precipitation/age-hardening stainless steel offering high strength and hardness, along with excellent corrosion resistance, up to 600°F (316°C)

6-8
business days
typical lead time

Design guidelines

Maximum build volume

Unavailable

10.95" x 10.95" x 11.81"

Minimum feature size

Unavailable

0.019"

Minimum embossed details

Unavailable

0.019"

Minimum engraved details

Unavailable

0.039"

Minimum hole diameter

Unavailable

0.039"

Minimum pin diameter

Unavailable

0.059"

Minimum wall thickness (supported)

Unavailable

0.031"

Minimum wall thickness (unsupported)

Unavailable

0.031"

Resolutions and typical tolerances

0.001181 SLM Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001181 SLM Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

0.001969 SLM Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001969 SLM Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Available colors

N/A

Titanium (Ti64)

Lightweight metal with high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility

6-8
business days
typical lead time

Design guidelines

Maximum build volume

Unavailable

9.92" x 9.92" x 11.81"

Minimum feature size

Unavailable

0.019"

Minimum embossed details

Unavailable

0.019"

Minimum engraved details

Unavailable

0.039"

Minimum hole diameter

Unavailable

0.039"

Minimum pin diameter

Unavailable

0.059"

Minimum wall thickness (supported)

Unavailable

0.031"

Minimum wall thickness (unsupported)

Unavailable

0.031"

Resolutions and typical tolerances

0.001575 EOS Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001575 EOS Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

0.002756 EOS Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.002756 EOS Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Available colors

N/A

Nickel Alloy (Inconel 625)

Non-magnetic, corrosion and oxidation resistant, nickel-base superalloy. Outstanding strength and toughness in the temperature range cryogenic to 2000°F (1093°C)

6-8
business days
typical lead time

Design guidelines

Maximum build volume

Unavailable

9.92" x 9.92" x 11.81"

Minimum feature size

Unavailable

0.019"

Minimum embossed details

Unavailable

0.019"

Minimum engraved details

Unavailable

0.039"

Minimum hole diameter

Unavailable

0.039"

Minimum pin diameter

Unavailable

0.059"

Minimum wall thickness (supported)

Unavailable

0.031"

Minimum wall thickness (unsupported)

Unavailable

0.031"

Resolutions and typical tolerances

0.001575 EOS Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001575 EOS Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

0.002756 EOS Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.002756 EOS Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Available colors

N/A

Tool Steel (Stainless Steel CX)

High-speed tool steel with excellent wear resistance and toughness

typical lead time

Design guidelines

Maximum build volume

Unavailable

Minimum feature size

Unavailable

0.019"

Minimum embossed details

Unavailable

0.019"

Minimum engraved details

Unavailable

0.039"

Minimum hole diameter

Unavailable

0.039"

Minimum pin diameter

Unavailable

0.059"

Minimum wall thickness (supported)

Unavailable

0.031"

Minimum wall thickness (unsupported)

Unavailable

0.031"

Resolutions and typical tolerances

0.001181 SLM Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001181 SLM Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

0.001575 EOS Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001575 EOS Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

0.001969 SLM Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001969 SLM Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

0.002756 EOS Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.002756 EOS Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Available colors

N/A

Tool Steel (1.2709 Maraging Steel)

18% nickel, cobalt strengthened steel with excellent properties, workability and heat treatment characteristics

typical lead time

Design guidelines

Maximum build volume

Unavailable

Minimum feature size

Unavailable

0.019"

Minimum embossed details

Unavailable

0.019"

Minimum engraved details

Unavailable

0.039"

Minimum hole diameter

Unavailable

0.039"

Minimum pin diameter

Unavailable

0.059"

Minimum wall thickness (supported)

Unavailable

0.031"

Minimum wall thickness (unsupported)

Unavailable

0.031"

Resolutions and typical tolerances

0.001181 SLM Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001181 SLM Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

0.001575 EOS Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001575 EOS Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

0.001969 SLM Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001969 SLM Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

0.002756 EOS Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.002756 EOS Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Available colors

N/A

Copper Alloy (CuCrZr)

Cu-based alloys cover a much wider range of applications than most other alloys due to their functional properties. Typical applications include heat exchangers, electrical and are widely used in bearings

typical lead time

Design guidelines

Maximum build volume

Unavailable

Minimum feature size

Unavailable

0.019"

Minimum embossed details

Unavailable

0.019"

Minimum engraved details

Unavailable

0.039"

Minimum hole diameter

Unavailable

0.039"

Minimum pin diameter

Unavailable

0.059"

Minimum wall thickness (supported)

Unavailable

0.031"

Minimum wall thickness (unsupported)

Unavailable

0.031"

Resolutions and typical tolerances

0.001181 SLM Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001181 SLM Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

0.001575 EOS Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001575 EOS Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

0.001969 SLM Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001969 SLM Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

0.002756 EOS Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.002756 EOS Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Available colors

N/A

Copper (Cu)

Pure copper offering excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, ideal for heat sinks, electrical components, and thermal management applications

typical lead time

Design guidelines

Maximum build volume

Unavailable

Minimum feature size

Unavailable

0.019"

Minimum embossed details

Unavailable

0.019"

Minimum engraved details

Unavailable

0.039"

Minimum hole diameter

Unavailable

0.039"

Minimum pin diameter

Unavailable

0.059"

Minimum wall thickness (supported)

Unavailable

0.031"

Minimum wall thickness (unsupported)

Unavailable

0.031"

Resolutions and typical tolerances

0.001181 SLM Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001181 SLM Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

0.001575 EOS Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001575 EOS Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

0.001969 SLM Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.001969 SLM Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

0.002756 EOS Prototyping

First inch

Unavailable

+/-0.005"

Each additional inch

Unavailable

+/-0.002"

0.002756 EOS Engineering

First inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Each additional inch

Unavailable

Drawing required

Available colors

N/A

Need help choosing? Contact our experts

Finishing

Finishing options to enhance parts printed with DMLS and SLM

Paint

Enhance your parts with custom coatings that provide durability, UV resistance, and premium finishes in any color or texture you need.

Technical specifications

Maximum part envelope:
Any size

Finish appearance:
Variable

Surface roughness:
< 1 µm

Design considerations

Complex masking requirements may require additional processing time.

Custom spray texturing available upon request.

Texturing

Add functional or aesthetic appeal with digitally applied textures from our standard library, including knurling, wood grain, and leather patterns.

Technical specifications

Maximum part envelope:
Any size

Finish appearance:
Variable

Surface roughness:
Variable

Design considerations

Available texture options vary based on the process used.

Need help choosing? Contact our experts

“Thanks to GKN Additive’s tremendous know-how, we benefit from a highly innovative and flexible process with clear cost advantages in volume production.”

Thomas Rivoire

Industrialization leader at Schneider Electric

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