/sci/ - Science & Math

>>6577080
>>DMLS is an expensive process in part due to the fact that it has to introduce an inert atmosphere.
Nope, DMLS is an expensive process because it's slow and requires extensive post processing. With DMLS you have to remove METAL supports, supports you have to build to prevent the part from deforming due to temperature differences. So you end up with a lot of scrap.

Of course, DMLS has other problems, parts often have too much porosity straight out of the machine so they have to be hot isostatic pressed(HIP'd), which is another very expensive process that requires a big heavy machine.

Oh and surface finish is horrible too, so one needs to hand finish the parts. Both these things are necessary or one gets bad fatigue properties.

>> outside is an inert atmosphere
Not to molten metal it isn't, CO2 can react with metal at high temperatures to cause brittleness and other nasty things.

>>6577131
You could use CO2 lasers, but then you have the problem of keeping the tube stable.

Lasers also suck in terms of power efficiency. There is a much better process which I will explain in another post