Metal Additive (DMLS/SLM): the route, the tolerances it holds, materials and design tips, with an indicative cost. One of 56 processes in the free finder.
AdditiveFamily
+/-0.1mmTypical tol.
5Route steps
35Parts in finder
Metal 3D printing (DMLS/SLM) fuses metal powder with a laser layer by layer to build dense metal parts of complex geometry.
At a glance
When to use it, and when not
Best for
Low-volume metal parts with internal channels and organic shapes, in aerospace and medical.
Watch for
High cost, support and heat-treat steps, and a size limit on the build box.
Step by step
The typical route
Raw material to finished part. Steps vary with material, volume and tolerance; this is the free route from the finder.
Build prep
Orient, support and slice.
Tooling Slicer Tolerance - Lead -
Print
Laser-melt metal powder layer by layer.
Tooling DMLS/SLM Tolerance - Lead -
Stress relieve
Heat-treat on the plate, then cut off.
Tooling Furnace Tolerance - Lead -
Machine
Machine critical/sealing surfaces.
Tooling CNC Tolerance - Lead -
NDT
CT/NDT on critical parts.
Tooling - Tolerance - Lead -
Precision
Tolerances it can hold
TYPICAL TOLERANCE IT CAN HOLD
Where this process typically lands. Tighter is possible with extra operations like grinding, at higher cost.
Materials
Materials it suits
Grade
Why it suits this
Ti-6Al-4V
Light, strong, biocompatible
AlSi10Mg
Light alloy
316L/Inconel
Corrosion/high-temp
Design
Design tips
A few general pointers for Metal Additive (DMLS/SLM). The full, part-specific DFM list is in the dossier.
Large overhangs.Design self-supporting angles.
Critical faces as-printed.Add machining stock.
Cost
What it costs
Metal additive for complex, consolidated or conformal-cooled parts; expensive, justified by geometry you can't machine.
PER-PART COST vs VOLUME
Per-part cost drops as volume spreads tooling and setup over more parts. The exact figures for your part at your volume, in your currency, are in the dossier.
MODEL EST.
$565 to 1585per part at 1 off
A rough ballpark only. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency, with the full breakdown.
GET THE FULL DOSSIER
Everything you need to quote and source it
The free route above is yours. To actually put a number on this process and buy it well:
Should-cost at your exact volume in 12 currencies, with the material, processing, tooling and overhead breakdown
Who to source from, typical MOQ and lead time, and the exact RFQ checklist to send
A quote checker that tells you if a supplier quote is fair, and the red flags to watch
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Metal 3D printing (DMLS/SLM) fuses metal powder with a laser layer by layer to build dense metal parts of complex geometry. The typical route is: Build prep; Print; Stress relieve; Machine; NDT. Low-volume metal parts with internal channels and organic shapes, in aerospace and medical.
What does Metal Additive (DMLS/SLM) cost per part?
It depends on size, tolerance and volume. As a rough ballpark it starts around $565 to 1585 per part at low volume and falls with quantity. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency. Model estimates, not quotes.
What tolerance can Metal Additive (DMLS/SLM) hold?
Typically about +/-0.1 mm, tighter with extra finishing operations at higher cost.
What materials suit Metal Additive (DMLS/SLM)?
Common choices are Ti-6Al-4V (Light, strong, biocompatible); AlSi10Mg (Light alloy); 316L/Inconel (Corrosion/high-temp).
See the exact route and should-cost for your part
The free finder maps your part to its process and full route. Pro adds should-cost at your volume, sourcing and an RFQ draft.
