Frequently Asked Questions

3D metal printed parts are about 20% stronger. The exact properties of our materials can be found in our material data sheets.

LPBF
420x420x400 mm (length x width x height).

wLMD
1500x1500x2500 mm (length x width x height).

LPBF
We recommend 0.5 mm as a standard, but even thinner walls are possible.

wLMD
We recommend 3 mm as a standard, but even thinner walls are possible.

LPBF
Stainless Steel 316L (1.4404), Aluminum AlSi10Mg, Tool Steel M300 (1.2709) and Titanium Ti6Al4V. We also offer Inconel 718 and various plastics through our network.

wLMD
Stainless steel 308L and 316L (1.4303 and 1.4404 respectively), Carbon steel ER70S, Inconel 718 (2.4668) and Invar (1.3912).

LPBF
This isn’t possible. We work with a standard metal powder to avoid powder mixing. This guarantees the quality of our products.

wLMD
This is possible by discussion and using wire, also this requires a printing test before to hoan the parameters.

Our standard lead time is ten working days after approval. Express delivery within a few days is also an option (in consultation).

The price mainly depends on the size and volume of the part. The surface, order quantity, and required post-processing also affect the price. For a price indication, please use our calculation tool. We will assess your request and contact you to discuss printability.

After printing, the roughness Ra is 5-10 µm. This can be reduced to Ra 1-3 µm using our standard post-processing techniques. Additional polishing and/or external machining can offer roughnesses below Ra 1 µm.

LPBF
This depends on the geometry of the part. Roughly, the tolerance is ±0.20mm on a dimension of 100mm. For sizes larger than 100mm, there is an additional 0.20mm tolerance per 100mm. However, we can achieve a lower tolerance by printing the model with a spare, which will then be machined.

wLMD
Roughly, the tolerance is ±0.40 mm on a dimension of 100 mm. For sizes larger than 100 mm, there is an additional ±0.4% tolerance per 100 mm. If tighter tolerances are required, we recommend printing the models with a spare and then machining them.

Our standard finishing techniques are blasting and tumbling. Polishing, tapping, reaming, surface treating, and CNC finishing are also possible.

Yes, please feel free to contact us at info@k3d.nl or call 0315-339432. Our engineers will be happy to help you.

With each print, several density blocks are printed and checked afterward. Tensile strength tests are carried out in due course and/or on request. Additionally, the entire printing process is digitalized and automated. The most important parameters (such as temperature and oxygen level) are continuously monitored and logged.

LPBF
This is possible in most cases. However, the screw thread must be physically modeled.

wLMD
That is not possible, the screw thread is too fine to print with this technique.

We use the SLM (Selective Laser Melting) / LPBF (Laser Powder Bed Fusion) and wLMD (wire Laser Metal Deposition) / WLAM (Wire Laser Additive Manufacturing) manufacturing methods.

LPBF
In this technique, a thin layer of metal powder is placed on a building board and fused with lasers into a solid material. The build plate then lowers by one print layer to repeat the previous steps. As a result, the product is built up layer by layer.

wLMD
In this technique, a melt layer is created on the print surface using a series of lasers, to which metal wire is introduced to produce the geometry. Then the head is lifted one layer to repeat the process.

There are plenty of reasons to choose 3D metal printing. Listed below are several benefits:

• Lightweight construction & printing
• More compact construction & printing
• Realize parts reduction (print assembly)
• Effortless printing of complex geometries
• Printing internal cooling channels
• Print hinges
• Print leaf springs
• Printing text engraving
• Short turnaround
• Optional local printing of a porous structure (e.g., for lubrication purposes)
• Printing on top of an existing part

Yes, but the existing part must be flat on top and must be able to be mounted on our building board. A part can then be printed on from the top layer.