LPBF – Laser Powder Bed Fusion

What is LPBF?

Since then, various companies have developed a range of machines and systems for 3D printing of metals based on the LPBF process – with different names for the same process principle. Among others:

  • Selective Laser Melting (SLM®): SLM Solutions Group AG, ReaLizer, DMG Mori
  • Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS): EOS
  • LaserCUSING®: Concept Laser
  • Laser Metal Fusion: Trump, Sisma3D

How the LPBF process works

With LPBF – as with the other processes mentioned – metal printing works by melting metal powders. Layer by layer, the object previously defined via CAD is created on a movable platform in a closed construction space.  

Like any 3D printing process, the design begins with the creation of the print data for the desired 3D object using CAD software. The selected metal powder is then applied in a very thin layer to a movable build platform in the build chamber of the 3D printer. A laser beam fuses the loose metal powder precisely along the geometry previously defined in the CAD program to form solid structures. The building platform is then moved down by one layer thickness and a new layer of metal powder is sprayed on. The steps of applying powder – melting – lowering the platform are repeated until the desired component has been created.

Materials for the LPBF process

In principle, any metals and metal alloys can be processed using LPBF processes, provided they are available in powder form. Metallic and alloyed materials such as stainless steel, cobalt-chrome (for dental prosthetics), aluminum, titanium and Inconel are most commonly used for 3D printing. Some precious metals (gold, platinum, silver) are also available in powder form, but have so far mainly been used in jewelry production.

Areas of application of the LPBF

The aerospace, automotive and medical (especially dental) sectors benefit particularly from this technology. This is because geometric complexity, which cannot be achieved with conventional production methods, is possible while reducing the final weight and the number of individual components to be assembled. In the aerospace and automotive sectors in particular, every gram that can be saved counts.