What are the main methods of laser 3D printing?
Release time：2025.12.12
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Laser 3D printing is an additive manufacturing technology that constructs three-dimensional objects layer by layer, using a laser beam as the energy source. Depending on the working principles and materials, the main forms include the following:
Stereolithography (SLA): Utilizes an ultraviolet laser beam to scan the surface of liquid photosensitive resin, curing it layer by layer. Key features include high precision (up to 0.1 mm), excellent surface finish, and suitability for creating intricate and detailed structures such as jewelry or dental models. Applicable materials are primarily photosensitive resins (e.g., epoxy resin, acrylic resin).
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS): This process involves using a laser beam to selectively sinter powdered materials (such as plastics or metal powders), bonding particles together to form the desired shape. Advantages include high material utilization (nearly 100%), elimination of support structures, and the ability to work with a variety of materials, such as nylon, polystyrene, stainless steel, or titanium alloy powders.
Selective Laser Melting (SLM): Utilizing high-energy lasers to fully melt and solidify metal powder, forming parts with near-100% density. The resulting metal components exhibit excellent mechanical properties and can be directly used for functional part production, suitable for materials such as titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, cobalt-chromium alloys, etc.
Laser Cladding Forming Technology (LCF): This technique involves layer-by-layer deposition of three-dimensional structures on a substrate surface by laser cladding metal powder or wire. It is commonly used for repairing or strengthening component surfaces and is suitable for metallic materials.
Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM): Utilizes a laser beam to cut thin sheets of material (such as paper or plastic film), layer by layer, to form a three-dimensional object. This method is cost-effective but offers relatively limited precision and material options.
Direct Laser Fabrication (DLF): Similar to SLM, but typically refers to the direct manufacturing of fully dense metal parts from a metal powder bed, suitable for high-end fields such as aerospace.
These methods each have their own characteristics and can be selected based on specific application requirements (such as accuracy, material, or cost).
