Application - Fiber Lasers Additive Manufacturing Applications
Additive manufacturing is the process of building up a 3D component by adding layer upon layer of material deposit. It is also commonly described as “3D printing”. Using a combination of special machines – often referred to as printers – and computer software, complex shapes can be created. It is a technology that has been in existence for 30+ years, but it’s only in recent years that the technique has been more widely used for its versatility and excellent return on investment (amongst other reasons).
Laser additive manufacturing can be achieved using a wide range of materials, including plastics, concrete, metals, glass, food and even body parts – the list is particularly endless and may be restricted by our imagination only! Perhaps most commonly, the process is used with metals; it is metal powders which are an essential part of the process of layer by layer addition of material for various purposes such as the repair/creation of parts, etc. The process is achieved where lasers heat the material, which is held in a cartridge, then superfine layers are placed down in a cross-section. This cross-section is gradually built up from the bottom to the top, with the software instructing the printer where and when to lay down the material.
Additive manufacturing is frequently used in the creation of rapid prototypes through rapid CAD modelling. The AM (additive manufacturing) process is sometimes referred to as the second industrial revolution; such is the expectation of the degree to which it will transform industrial processes.
The benefits of laser additive manufacturing with fiber lasers can’t be underestimated. Here are just a few of the benefits of using this technology:
- Complex and intricate shapes – the most complex, unusual and unique of shapes can be produced, this is why the process is frequently adopted in the jewellery industry
- Lightweight parts – as AM is layer by layer even hollow parts can be produced. This can help massively in reducing the weight of parts, which otherwise would have extra materials increasing the weight. Lighter components are particularly valuable in industries such as Aerospace, Aviation and Automotive
- No joins needed – absolutely no welding or joints are needed as the design is printed. This increases the strength and visual appeal of items manufactured
- Prototype production – AM is ideal for rapid prototyping and can significantly cut the time to market for new products, preparation of business cases and production of one-offs
- Reduced costs – due to many reasons, additive manufacturing is cheaper than traditional techniques. Reasons include less material use, a faster process, reduced staffing costs and stronger joins, etc.
- Small batch production – AM is ideal for small batch production, where even the smallest of batches can cost-justify and require no special tools and set-up time (which is not the case with traditional manufacturing processes) and
- Tool-less production – parts, components and other items can be produced without the need for additional tools, which can be expensive to manufacture and maintain
To read in more detail about the advantages of this technology, visit the benefits and advantages of additive manufacturing and 3D printing.
Many rapid manufacturing processes use industrial Lasers as an energy source. Our Fiber Lasers are an integral element of many metal powder processes and applications. SPI Lasers provide many high quality, reliable lasers to industrial sectors to be used as the energy source in the process, and our Fiber Laser range has become a core part of many metal powder processes. Also, don’t forget that SPI Lasers can be programmed for many other purposes, these include ablation, cleaning, cutting, drilling, engraving, marking and welding – all these tasks are possible on just one SPI laser.
Watch the Additive Manufacturing revolutionising industry: SPI Lasers infographic video
The process is not tied to just one or two industries and infact, can be used in many ways. Contact us at SPI Lasers to discuss your requirements and to subscribe to receive future SPI updates here. Also, read further through our application insights and advice, which are provided below:
Reducing the Weight of Aerospace Parts Through Additive Manufacturing
Application InsightPosted on 23/04/2020
The rise of additive manufacturing has been rapid in recent years, with a wealth of benefits attributed to a process which you may know better as 3D printing. Some of the advantages it offers over alternative manufacturing techniques include less... read more >
3D Printed Implants a Solution for Spinal Disorders
Application InsightPosted on 31/03/2020
3D printing is being used to produce components across many medical disciplines since it offers various benefits when compared with standard manufacturing techniques. Treating people with spinal disorders using this method is becoming more... read more >
What is Selective Laser Sintering Used For?
Application InsightPosted on 15/06/2019
What is selective laser sintering 3D printing and what is it used for? These are questions we have been asked in the past. We have, therefore, created this question and answer guide on the topic, which we hope you find... read more >
How Can Rapid Prototyping Techniques Using Fiber Lasers be Used in the Jewellery Industry?
Application InsightPosted on 15/06/2019
Jewellers around the world are increasingly aware of the benefits of fiber lasers in jewellery manufacturing. Of particular benefit are rapid prototyping and small-batch manufacturing, which we now go on to... read more >
How Can 3D Printing be Used Within the Dental Industry?
Application InsightPosted on 15/06/2019
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How can 3D Printing Techniques be used in Veterinary Medical settings?
Application InsightPosted on 24/03/2019
A recent article in the online veterinary blog summed up developments in 3D printing for vets quite nicely, with the article entitled “3d printing is changing surgery”. Of course, this is true, we now discuss advances in this technology in our... read more >
What are the Medical Applications of Rapid Prototyping?
Application InsightPosted on 15/02/2019
The Medical industry has been transformed by the advent of rapid prototyping and 3D printing. These have opened the industry to new applications we briefly discuss in this... read more >
Additive Manufacturing in the Jewellery Industry
Application InsightPosted on 22/09/2018
When we think of how lasers play a role in the jewellery industry, we typically think of them being used to clean the jewellery or to engrave and mark it. However, another process which is gaining in popularity in this sector is additive... read more >
The Need for Certification Schemes in Additive Manufacturing
Application InsightPosted on 09/09/2016
Additive manufacturing, which is the process by which a material is added layer by layer to produce a 3D part or component, has been dubbed the next ‘industrial revolution’ in the manufacturing industry. Here we examine why there is the need for... read more >
Practical Applications and uses for Additive Manufacturing
Application InsightPosted on 25/11/2015
Although additive manufacturing isn’t a new technology, the recent expansion and developments have meant that it’s hit the limelight more recently, with the possibilities for 3D printing uses seemingly wide open. Being able to “print”... read more >
Additive Manufacturing in the Semiconductor Industry
Application InsightPosted on 25/11/2015
The technology to use additive manufacturing has been around for more than three decades, but it’s only quite recently that it’s been possible to explore this in more depths. A number of different industries have benefitted from this... read more >
How Does Additive Manufacturing Work?
Application InsightPosted on 25/11/2015
3D printing, Rapid Prototyping and Additive Manufacturing are all terms used to broadly describe the same processes, which involve the creation of complex structures and components by the layering of materials which are gradually built up. A... read more >
Additive Manufacturing Machines
Application InsightPosted on 25/11/2015
Additive manufacturing is one of the most exciting technologies to be unveiled in recent years, with the possibilities for both consumers and in industry almost limitless. At the very core of this are 3D printing machines, with the... read more >
Additive Manufacturing Materials
Application InsightPosted on 24/11/2015
Additive manufacturing processes are gradually increasing in their practical application, and engineers are starting to figure out where, when and how they could be the most useful. Rather than looking to completely replace all conventional... read more >
Additive Manufacturing – a definition
Application InsightPosted on 19/11/2015
Often referred to as 3D printing, additive manufacturing is in fact a technology which has been around for at least three... read more >
Additive Manufacturing Processes
Application InsightPosted on 17/11/2015
There are many different additive processes, each of which has its own different purpose. We get asked about these processes fairly often, so have listed them in this Q&A guide. The surge in popularity of additive manufacturing One of the most... read more >
Additive Manufacturing in Aerospace – Typical Applications and Advantages
Application InsightPosted on 17/11/2015
Although additive manufacturing is an exciting technology for many fields, the aerospace industry is seen as one of the key growth areas. The ability to create complex shapes within one mould, with intricate internal dimensions and complex... read more >
Rapid Prototyping with a CW/M Laser
Application InsightPosted on 14/10/2015
Rapid Prototyping is one of the processes that are grouped under the general heading of Additive Manufacturing. Other processes available under this heading are ‘Layer manufacturing’ or ‘Solid freeform fabrication’ (SFF) processes. This... read more >