Metal 3D printing builds metal parts directly from digital designs by melting powder layer by layer. It is also called laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), selective laser melting (SLM), or direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). The technology works fundamentally differently from traditional machining. And often, the most valuable applications emerge only after you start working […]
Metal 3D Printing: How It Works, Materials and Uses Read More »
Many companies get their first metal 3D printed part right. The prototype fits, the material performs, and the case for additive manufacturing looks solid. The harder question comes next: how do you move from a single successful print to a repeatable, cost-efficient production process? Scaling metal additive manufacturing (AM) is not simply a matter of
From Prototype to Serial Production: Scaling Metal 3D Printing Read More »
How integrated powder handling improves safety, efficiency, and process reliability In metal additive manufacturing, powder handling plays a central role in ensuring stable processes, consistent part quality, and safe working conditions. However, in many setups, powder management remains a manual and fragmented process. Integrated solutions aim to address these challenges by connecting printing, unpacking, and
Efficient Powder Management in Metal 3D Printing: A Closer Look at the PROline Workflow Read More »
Customized clamping solutions for complex welding applications In modern manufacturing, companies are increasingly facing the challenge of producing complex components under strict process requirements. This is exactly the case for Hoedtke Metal solutions, an innovation-driven production company with over 85 years of experience in metal processing. In this application story, we show how metal 3D printing enabled
Metal 3D Printing in Fixture Construction: How Hoedtke Reduced Lead Times Read More »
In applications where extreme temperatures, mechanical loads, and corrosive environments come together, conventional materials quickly reach their limits. This is where nickel-based superalloys come into play. Inconel metal 3D printing, specifically with Alloy 718 (2.4668), enables the production of highly durable components that retain their mechanical properties under extreme operating conditions. Combined with Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF),
Inconel in Metal 3D Printing: Why Alloy 718 Excels in Extreme Environments Read More »
Knife manufacturing places high demands on material performance, precision, and design quality. Metal 3D printing for knife manufacturing enables producers to develop high-performance blades and handles with greater design freedom, near-net-shape accuracy, and advanced material properties. Using Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), knife makers can manufacture functional prototypes and serial components from high-performance metals, achieving sharper edges,
The Future of Knife Manufacturing with Metal 3D Printing Read More »
Lerdsin Hospital, a leading public teaching hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, is transforming orthopedic care through the use of patient-specific metal 3D printed implants. By integrating metal additive manufacturing directly into its clinical workflow, the hospital enables customized solutions for complex cases that cannot be addressed with standard, off-the-shelf implants. This case study demonstrates how metal
Titanium is one of the most widely used materials in metal additive manufacturing – and for good reason. Its unique combination of high strength, low weight, excellent corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility makes it ideal for demanding industrial and medical applications. In metal 3D printing, Ti-6Al-4V Grade 23 has become a standard alloy for producing high-performance components with complex geometries.
Titanium in Metal 3D Printing: Material Science Read More »
Silencer (suppressor) manufacturing places extreme demands on materials, design precision, and thermal performance. Traditional manufacturing methods often limit internal geometries, require complex assembly steps, and slow down innovation cycles. Metal additive manufacturing, specifically Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), is changing this landscape. By enabling the production of highly complex, monolithic metal parts, metal 3D printing allows
The Future of Silencer Manufacturing with Metal 3D Printing Read More »
Digital dentistry has evolved rapidly in recent years, and metal 3D printing is now one of the most impactful technologies for dental laboratories. From crowns and bridges to removable partial dentures (RPDs), dental professionals increasingly rely on metal additive manufacturing to achieve faster workflows, higher accuracy, and superior fit. Dental labs such as Frauendienst Dental Laboratory in Roth, Germany, use metal
Metal 3D Printing for Dental Applications Read More »
