Direct Metal Printing (DMP) is an additive layer manufacturing process using fine powders to directly build metal components. CRDM are the UK’s longest running DMP facility, manufacturing parts since 1999.
Parts are built in recognised engineering metals and can be machined, welded, tapped, polished, plated and many other common post process operations.
Conformally cooled tooling inserts for plastic moulding and die casting can also be manufactured using this process to improve cycle times and moulded part quality.
Advantages of the Direct Metal Printing (DMP) process…
- Freedom of design, such as complex internal features & organic forms
- Part to part customisation – no tooling
- Thin wall and variable thickness components
- Fully dense, high performance materials
- Ideal for one-off prototypes and low volume production
- Very efficient material processing – only part mass of material is used
- Height of build dictates price – more components per build reduces unit cost
Some Direct Metal Printing (DMP) considerations…
- Minimum wall thickness 0.2mm*
- Direct Metal Printing (DMP) Typical tolerance ±0.05mm*
- Maximum build size 250 x 250 x 190mm
- Typical leadtimes 1 – 2 weeks
- Typical surface finish 4.5Ra before any machining or polishing
- For simple, uncomplicated parts, machining is often a cheaper option
* Subject to geometry and build orientation.
Please download CRDM Tolerance Standards PDF for DMP tolerances.
Click here for a summary sheet of DMP metals
Direct Metal Printing (DMP) Materials
Maraging Steel (MS1)
Maraging Steel (MS1) is a pre-alloyed ultra high strength steel in fine powder form. Its composition corresponds to US classification 18% Ni Maraging 300, European 1.2709 and German 3NiCoMoTi 18-9-5.
Stainless Steel 316L
Stainless Steel 316L has a natural colour, good corrosion resistance, non hardenable material suitable for manufacturing direct parts.
Cobalt Chrome MP1
The chemistry of EOS Cobalt Chrome MP1 conforms to the composition UNS R31538 of high carbon CoCrMo alloy. It is nickel-free (< 0.1 % nickel content), sterilisable and suitable for biomedical applications.
Inconel 718 / 2.4668
Heat and corrosion resistance nickel alloy with good tensile and fatigue properties at temperatures up to 650⁰C. Mechanical properties can be increased with age-hardening (AMS 5662 / 5664). Commonly used for applications in motorsport, aerospace, and Oil and Gas industries.