ZoLux AMZoLux AM
Real-Time Selection Database v1.1
SELECTIVE LASER MELTING
Selective Laser Melting (SLM) Process Guide
Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology uses high-energy lasers to melt metal powder into high-density parts. To ensure manufacturing success and on-time delivery, please evaluate the following physical characteristics and design guidelines before placing your order.
[01]Equipment Capabilities & Material Mechanical Properties
Manufacturing limits, standard tolerances, and material physical property indicators
Maximum Build Volume (Single Part)
400 × 350 × 350 mm
Standard Surface Roughness
Ra 10 ～ Ra 12
Bottom surface is 2-3 grades rougher than top surface
Standard Delivery State
Manual support removal + 80# sandblasting
Optional: fine sandblasting / CNC finishing
Density
≥ 99.5 %
Approaching forged material properties
Material Properties
State Mode:
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Hardness | Thermal Conductivity | Electrical Conductivity | Electrical Resistivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel 316L | 7.8 | 510±100520±100 | 700±100720±50 | 35±1032±10 | 93±3 HRB90±5 HRB | - | - | - |
| Aluminum AlSi10Mg | 2.7 | 240±50210±50 | 440±50320±50 | 6±38±3 | 69±3 HRB63±3 HRB | - | - | - |
| Aluminum 6061 | 2.7 | 202±40250±20 | 260±40300±20 | 14±510±5 | 90±10 HRB120±30 HRB | - | - | - |
| Precipitation-Hardening Steel 17-4PH | 7.8 | 560±1001100±100 | 900±1001300±100 | ≤21≤12.5 | 94±3 HRB41±3 HRC | - | - | - |
| Titanium Alloy TC4 (Ti6Al4V) | 4.5 | 1050±50950±50 | 1230±501015±50 | 7±313±3 | 38±2 HRC35±2 HRC | - | - | - |
| Pure Titanium TA1 | 4.51 | ≥250950±50 | ≥3501015±50 | ≥3013±3 | 38±2 HRC35±2 HRC | - | - | - |
| Tool Steel 1.2709/18Ni300/MS1 | 8 | 1050±100≥1862 | 1200±100≥1930 | 12±44±2 | 33-39 HRC48-56 HRC | - | - | - |
| Superalloy Inconel 718/GH4169 | 8.24 | 770±801150±100 | 1080±801400±100 | 25±318±5 | 30±3 HRC45±3 HRC | - | - | - |
| Copper Cu | 8.92 | 165- | 240- | 30- | 115 HV- | 365 W/(m·K) | 96% IACS | 1.8 μΩ·cm |
| Copper Alloy CuCrZr | 8.92 | ≥330- | ≥250- | ≥20- | -- | - | - | - |
Printing Dimensional Tolerance Standards
≦ 100 mm± 0.2 mm
100 ~ 200 mm± 0.2 %
200 ~ 300 mm± 0.4 ~ 1.0 mm
＞ 300 mm± 1.0 ~ 5.0 mm
💡 For precision mating surfaces (e.g., H7 bearing bores), we recommend adding machining allowance in the 3D model and combining with CNC subtractive post-processing.
[02]Printing Risks & Mitigation Strategies (with Visuals)
Common physical issues and CAD mitigation solutions
Risk #01[ SLM Process Limitation ]
Thread Structure Printing (Internal & External Threads)
⚠️ Physical Risk: Printed threads tend to have powder adhesion and slag, making them unable to screw in properly.
💡 Design Suggestion: Recommend reserving holes/posts in the model, and completing threads via manual tapping or CNC finishing.
Risk #02[ SLM Process Limitation ]
Gear / Tooth Structures
⚠️ Physical Risk: Tooth tips are prone to slagging and defects; insufficient meshing clearance leads to transmission jamming.
💡 Design Suggestion: Recommend finishing teeth via CNC machining, or reserving sufficient meshing clearance in the 3D model.
Risk #03[ SLM Process Limitation ]
Thin Wall Limits (Wall Thickness ≤ 0.5mm)
⚠️ Physical Risk: Prone to missing print, cracking, or severe thermal stress warping.
💡 Design Suggestion: Recommend thickening non-critical walls to 0.8mm or above for structural integrity.
Risk #04[ SLM Process Limitation ]
Text & Small Details (Feature Size ≤ 0.3mm)
⚠️ Physical Risk: Line gaps ≤ 0.4mm cause powder accumulation and loss of detail clarity.
💡 Design Suggestion: Recommend embossed/debossed depth of 0.2-0.3mm, with line width and spacing ≥ 0.4mm.
Risk #05[ SLM Process Limitation ]
Assembly Fit Clearance
⚠️ Physical Risk: Metal surfaces have micro-roughness and thermal deformation; zero-clearance designs will prevent assembly.
💡 Design Suggestion: Recommend reserving 0.3-0.4mm clearance per side for mating surfaces.
Risk #06[ SLM Process Limitation ]
Support Surfaces & Bottom Surface Roughness
⚠️ Physical Risk: Support removal leaves marks; bottom surface roughness is significantly higher than top surface.
💡 Design Suggestion: Please notify us of critical cosmetic surfaces in advance so the engineering team can adjust orientation and support-free areas.
Risk #07[ SLM Process Limitation ]
Hole Deformation & Wall Slagging
⚠️ Physical Risk: Due to laser scanning and gravity, horizontal hole tops tend to sag and slag, causing out-of-roundness.
💡 Design Suggestion: For high-precision mating holes, recommend reserving machining allowance and using reaming or boring for final finishing.
Risk #08[ SLM Process Limitation ]
Powder Residue in Enclosed Cavities
⚠️ Physical Risk: Unmelted metal powder inside fully enclosed cavities cannot be purged or removed.
💡 Design Suggestion: Design must include powder escape holes / channels (recommended diameter ≥ 3mm).
Risk #09[ SLM Process Limitation ]
Support Residue in Deep Slots / Internal Channels
⚠️ Physical Risk: Due to limited tool access, supports inside deep narrow slots or complex channels cannot be manually removed.
💡 Design Suggestion: Use self-supporting geometries (angles > 45°) and avoid internal support structures where possible.
Risk #10[ SLM Process Limitation ]
Micro-Edge Texture Notes
⚠️ Physical Risk: Edges may have minor irregularities, radii (R0.05-R0.1), and slight powder particle adhesion.
💡 Design Suggestion: This is a normal physical phenomenon of metal laser sintering. For high-gloss cosmetic parts, please request fine polishing post-processing.
[03]Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) Guidelines
CAD design standards that align with slicing and melt pool support characteristics
Specification 01. Overhang & Self-Supporting Angles
Angle ≥ 45°
Specification 02. Channels & Powder-Escape Enclosed Cavities
Hole Diameter ≥ 2.0mm
STEREO LITHOGRAPHY APPARATUS
SLA Photopolymer (High Precision) Process Guide
SLA technology uses an ultraviolet laser to cure liquid photopolymer resin layer by layer, achieving extremely high surface finish and precision, making it ideal for cosmetic prototypes, validation models, and fine-featured parts.
[01]Equipment Capabilities & Material Mechanical Properties
Manufacturing limits, standard tolerances, and material physical property indicators
Maximum Build Volume (Single Part)
800 × 800 × 550 mm
Standard Surface Roughness
Ra 1.6 ～ Ra 3.2
Extremely smooth surface with fine tactile feel
Standard Delivery State
Manual support removal + UV post-curing
Optional: painting / screen printing / electroplating / clear polishing
Density
100 %
Fully dense and isotropic
Material Properties
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Heat Deflection Temperature (°C) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Flexural Strength (MPa) | Elastic Modulus (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Hardness (Shore D) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White General-Purpose ABS-like Resin (8000) | 1.15 | 46 | 42 - 48 | 35 | 67 | 2370 - 2650 | 6 - 9 | 79 Shore D |
| High-Toughness Impact-Resistant Resin (Somos) | 1.18 | - | 45 - 52 | 38 - 42 | - | - | 18 - 25 | 82 - 86 Shore D |
| Fully Transparent Resin (9400) | 1.12 | - | 38 - 45 | 32 - 36 | - | - | 8 - 12 | 78 - 82 Shore D |
| High-Temperature Resin | 1.21 | 70 | 55 - 65 | 48 - 55 | - | - | 3 - 6 | 85 - 88 Shore D |
Printing Dimensional Tolerance Standards
≦ 100 mm± 0.1 mm
100 ~ 300 mm± 0.15 %
＞ 300 mm± 0.2 ~ 0.5 mm
💡 For precision mating surfaces (e.g., H7 bearing bores), we recommend adding machining allowance in the 3D model and combining with CNC subtractive post-processing.
[02]Printing Risks & Mitigation Strategies (with Visuals)
Common physical issues and CAD mitigation solutions
Risk #01[ SLA Process Limitation ]
Warping Risk on Large Thin Sheets
⚠️ Physical Risk: Large flat thin sheets tend to warp during UV curing shrinkage.
💡 Design Suggestion: Recommend adding stiffening ribs or keeping wall thickness above 1.2mm.
Risk #02[ SLA Process Limitation ]
Liquid Trapped in Blind Holes / Pockets
⚠️ Physical Risk: Blind holes or internal pockets can trap uncured liquid resin.
💡 Design Suggestion: Must include drainage holes (≥ 1.5mm) on non-cosmetic surfaces.
[03]Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) Guidelines
CAD design standards that align with slicing and melt pool support characteristics
Specification 01. Overhang Structures & Support Placement
Angle ≥ 30°SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
SLS Nylon Selective Laser Sintering Process Guide
SLS technology uses a CO₂ laser to sinter nylon powder into finished parts. It requires no physical support structures, offers excellent mechanical toughness and durability, and is the preferred choice for small-batch functional parts.
[01]Equipment Capabilities & Material Mechanical Properties
Manufacturing limits, standard tolerances, and material physical property indicators
Maximum Build Volume (Single Part)
380 × 380 ± 500 mm
Standard Surface Roughness
Ra 6.3 ～ Ra 8.0
Slight grainy texture
Standard Delivery State
Sandblasting + Vibratory finishing
Optional: dyeing (black/red/blue/green)
Density
≥ 98 %
Excellent toughness and impact resistance
Material Properties
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Heat Deflection Temperature (°C) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Flexural Strength (MPa) | Tensile Modulus (MPa) | Flexural Modulus (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Hardness | Notched Izod Impact (kJ/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PA12 Nylon | 0.95 | 126 | 48 - 54 | 32 | 71 | - | 2241 | 5 - 8 | 75 Shore D | 29 |
| Glass-Fiber Reinforced Nylon (PA12 GF30) | 1.26 | 160 | 65 - 75 | 44 | 68 | 3500 - 7800 | 2415 | 5 | 82 Shore D | 4.13 |
| TPU Flexible Elastomer | 1.15 | - | 15 - 25 | N/A | - | - | - | 250 - 350 | 85 - 90 Shore A | - |
Printing Dimensional Tolerance Standards
≦ 100 mm± 0.3 mm
100 ~ 300 mm± 0.3 %
＞ 300 mm± 0.5 ~ 1.5 mm
💡 For precision mating surfaces (e.g., H7 bearing bores), we recommend adding machining allowance in the 3D model and combining with CNC subtractive post-processing.
[02]Printing Risks & Mitigation Strategies (with Visuals)
Common physical issues and CAD mitigation solutions
Risk #01[ SLS Process Limitation ]
Powder Removal in Unsupported Cavities
⚠️ Physical Risk: Nylon powder inside fully enclosed hollow spheres or curved channels cannot be manually removed.
💡 Design Suggestion: Must include powder escape holes (recommended diameter ≥ 4.0mm).
Risk #02[ SLS Process Limitation ]
Warping on Large Flat Surfaces
⚠️ Physical Risk: Nylon undergoes significant shrinkage during crystallization cooling; long flat surfaces are prone to warping.
💡 Design Suggestion: Recommend adding reinforcing ribs or keeping wall thickness variation within 30%.
[03]Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) Guidelines
CAD design standards that align with slicing and melt pool support characteristics
Specification 01. Self-Supporting Geometry & Clearance Design
Clearance ≥ 0.5mm