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 maybe 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 up 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 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 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 additive manufacturing 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 and Aviation
• No joins needed – absolutely no welding or joins 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
• 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)
• 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 additive manufacturing advantages, visit our application insight here.

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 engraving, cutting, drilling, marking and other processes too – 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 also read further through our application insights and advice, which are provided below: