For enterprises, one of the optimization goals of MPBF (metal powder bed selective laser melting) technology is to increase production and efficiency. MPBF systems will need to have higher 3D printing speeds and larger production scales to develop more possibilities for metal additive manufacturing. Also, the ability to nest parts (i.e., stack parts to increase build density) is critical to increasing manufacturing speed and efficiency, but these factors need to be considered during the design process to properly plan support structures.
A major obstacle for 3D printing to enter the field of industrialization is efficiency and cost. Up to 70% of the current 3D printing product price comes from equipment costs, and materials also account for 30% of the cost. However, in traditional manufacturing processes, the material cost will generally not exceed 3% of the product cost. In terms of efficiency improvement, the market urgently needs a breakthrough in processing efficiency.
At the same time, enterprises also need to pay attention to the following tips if they want to expand the application of metal 3D printers:
1. Must be predictable: You can't spend hours or days trying to get the first good part through trial and error.
2. Must be faster: Reducing build times is a priority, which is why multi-laser metal 3D printers are now being used more and more.
3. Must be accurate: At higher speeds and more complex parts, better process control is required to consistently produce high-quality parts with less post-processing or rework.
4. Must be stable: In a production environment, the laser is always on to provide the necessary flux. Therefore, these lasers need to be reliable and easy to maintain.
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