Lead time
From 5 business days (express options where available)
3D Printing
Selective Laser Melting (SLM)
Fully dense metal parts built layer by layer from fine metal powder.
Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is a powder-bed metal additive process. A high-power laser scans each cross-section of your CAD model, melting metal powder that solidifies into a dense part. SLM is suited to lightweight structures, internal channels, and consolidated assemblies that are costly or impossible to machine from solid stock.
SLM Metal 3D Printing for Complex Functional Parts — Review geometry fit, materials, build limits, finishing, and the inputs needed for a useful metal 3D printing quote.
How we run SLM jobs
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1
Step 1
Your 3D model is oriented, supported where needed, and sliced into thin layers.
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2
Step 2
A recoater spreads a uniform layer of metal powder across the build plate.
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3
Step 3
The laser melts the powder along the slice contour; the plate lowers and the cycle repeats.
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4
Step 4
After printing, parts are depowdered, supports removed, and finished with heat treat or machining as required.
Orientation, supports, and escape paths are checked before the build. Blind cavities without a powder exit are redesigned or rejected.
After the build, parts are depowdered, heat-treated as specified, then support-removed. Inspection follows the faces you marked for machining.
SLM capabilities
Envelope and as-built tolerance are planning values. Threads and bearing seats are usually finished on a mill.
Typical tolerance
±0.3 mm or ±0.3% (whichever is greater), tighter after machining
Max build envelope
420 × 420 × 450 mm (larger projects — contact us)
Surface finish
As-built grainy metallic; polishing, coating, or CNC finishing available
Supports
Required for overhangs; removed in post-processing
SLM materials
Aluminum, titanium, and stainless powders are the everyday set. Tool steel and nickel alloys are reviewed per job.
Aluminum Alloy AlSi10Mg
For lightweight housings, brackets, and complex prototype geometries.
Learn more
Aluminum Alloy 6061
For aluminum prototypes with machined faces and assembly interfaces.
Learn more
Stainless Steel 316L
For fluid-handling parts, enclosures, and corrosion-focused projects.
Learn more
Stainless Steel 17-4PH
For structural brackets and fixtures; specify the heat-treatment condition.
Learn more
Stainless Steel 18Ni300
For tooling inserts, conformal cooling channels, and production fixtures.
Learn more
Inconel 718
For heat-exposed hardware; confirm the required material condition.
Learn more
Titanium Alloy Ti₆Al₄V
For weight-sensitive brackets and compact structural components.
Learn more
All materials
Can't Find Your Material?
SLM surface finishes
As-built metal is grainy. Plan a secondary operation on any face that seals, bears, or faces a customer.
As built
Grainy metallic skin from the powder bed. Fine for hidden structures and many brackets after support removal.
Heat treat + depowder
Stress relief or HIP-class heat treat as specified, then powder removed from channels and lattices.
CNC or polish
Mill or turn datums, threads, and sealing faces; polish or coat show surfaces.
How SLM compares on AIHFABS
SLM is the metal powder-bed option. Nylon jobs belong on SLS or MJF; resin detail belongs on SLA, DLP, or LCD.
| Process | Lead time | Tolerance | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selective Laser Melting (SLM)Metal | From 5 business days (express options where available) | ±0.3 mm or ±0.3% (whichever is greater), tighter after machining | Instant quote · typical metal part from $90 |
| Stereolithography (SLA)Resin | Quoted with your CAD upload | Instant quote · typical resin part from $18 | |
| Digital Light Processing (DLP)Resin | From 48 hours | ±0.2 mm on supported geometry | Instant quote · typical resin batch from $20 |
| Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)Resin | From 48 hours | ±0.2 mm on supported geometry | Instant quote · typical resin part from $16 |
| Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)Plastic powder | From 48 hours express; 72 hours / 5 days standard tiers | ±0.3 mm or ±0.3% | Instant quote · typical nylon part from $28 |
| Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)Plastic powder | From 48 hours express; standard 72 hours / 5 days | ±0.3 mm or ±0.3% | Instant quote · typical PA12 part from $25 |
| Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)Thermoplastic filament | From 24–48 hours depending on size | ±0.5 mm or ±0.5% on FDM-appropriate geometry | Instant quote · typical prototype from $12 |
Advantages and Trade-offs
Advantages
- Near-full density suitable for structural and end-use metal components
- Freedom to consolidate assemblies and embed lightweight lattice or internal cooling paths
- Broad metal portfolio including aluminum, titanium, and stainless alloys
- Consistent repeatability for serial production after process qualification
Trade-offs
- As-built roughness is higher than a milled face; plan finishing on fits.
- Supports and heat treat add time versus a simple 3-axis plate.
- Long, thin walls can warp; ribbing or a different orientation may be required.
Design guidelines for SLM
Design for powder, heat, and a finishing mill — not only for the laser path.
| Feature | Recommended practice |
|---|---|
| Overhangs | Self-supporting above about 45°. Steeper faces need supports, fillets, or a lattice blend. |
| Channels | Give powder an exit on every blind cavity and narrow duct. |
| Fits & threads | Call out secondary machining on critical diameters and threads. |
| Walls | Avoid paper-thin unsupported skins; they warp in the furnace and on the plate. |
Other 3D printing processes
Stereolithography (SLA)
Stereolithography (SLA) cures liquid photopolymer with a precision UV laser, building parts layer by layer.
Full process details
Digital Light Processing (DLP)
Digital Light Processing (DLP) solidifies an entire layer of photopolymer at once using a projected image.
Full process details
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) printing — also called MSLA — cures a full layer of photopolymer at once.
Full process detailsSLM FAQ
When is SLM a strong fit for a metal part?
When internal channels, lattices, or a single printed assembly beat a stack of milled pieces — prototypes, spares, and small functional batches.
Which metals can you print?
Aluminum AlSi10Mg and 6061, titanium Ti6Al4V, stainless 316L and 17-4 PH. Tool steel and nickel alloys are reviewed by project.
What build size and tolerance should I plan around?
Listed envelope is 420 × 420 × 450 mm. Typical as-built tolerance is ±0.3 mm or ±0.3%, whichever is greater. Tighter fits are machined.
What does an SLM surface look like?
A grainy metallic skin. We polish, coat, or CNC faces that need a smoother or more accurate interface.
What should I upload for an SLM quote?
STEP or STL, alloy, quantity, critical dimensions, environment, finish, and ship-to. Instant quote first, then a build-route review.
Related guides
Metal 3D Printing: From SLM Technology to High-Strength Parts
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Compare SLA with DLP, LCD, FDM, SLS, MJF, SLM, and CNC machining. Shortlist processes by material, geometry, finish, cost, and your part's intended use.
Full process detailsSelective Laser Melting (SLM) — engineering review before production
Use these process-specific checks when preparing your model, drawing and quote request. The confirmed quotation and approved drawing define the requirements for your part.
When metal additive manufacturing earns its place
Use SLM where geometry adds functional value: internal flow paths, load-directed lightweight structures, lattices or the consolidation of several assembled parts. Straightforward stock shapes and easily accessible features may be better machined. Compare the complete route, including supports, cleaning, thermal processing and final machining, rather than the print operation alone.
Validate brackets, passages and consolidated assemblies
For a lightweight bracket, identify the load path and preserve the mounting interfaces. For an internal passage, define powder-removal access, inspection access and any leak-test requirement together. For a consolidated assembly, identify the joints being eliminated and retain the interfaces that require machining. Validate fit and function on a first article before repeat production.
Support and powder evacuation
Metal supports anchor the build and help manage heat. They must be accessible for removal. Internal passages also need an effective powder-evacuation route. Identify overhangs, closed cavities and internal surfaces that cannot be reached after printing.
Heat treatment and machining allowance
Residual stress and removal from the build plate can affect dimensions. Discuss heat treatment, support removal sequence and secondary machining before the build. Leave agreed machining stock on bearing seats, threads, sealing faces and datum features where required.
Acceptance checklist
Confirm alloy, thermal condition, machined surfaces, surface texture and inspection requirements. Density, leak testing, material documentation or other special checks must be requested and agreed for the specific order.
Need similar 3D printed or CNC parts?
AIHFABS quotes custom 3D printing and CNC machining from a CAD upload. Compare SLA, SLS, MJF, SLM, FDM, DLP, milling, and turning, then add finishing such as vapor smoothing, dyeing, anodizing, polishing, or powder coating in the same order.
Instant quoting
Instant quoting is built for prototypes, jigs, housings, and small-batch production. You see material, process, quantity, and lead time together, which keeps engineering changes from turning into a new round of supplier emails.
Multiple processes
You can review material, process, quantity, and lead time together, so engineering changes do not turn into another round of supplier emails.
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Upload files
Upload STL, STEP, and other common CAD formats for an online quote.
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Compare options
Compare 3D printing technologies and CNC options on the same part.
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Materials & finishing
Select polymers or metals, then add 3D Plus hardware finishing when needed.
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Confirm the order
Review price and lead time before checkout, or request a manual quote for special specs.
If this page describes a process, industry, or sample part you want to reproduce, start from the upload flow and match technology plus finishing to your drawing.
