Cobra Cooling (Stainless Steel; 316L)
Metal Forms (Titanium)
Mixed Plate Dental (CoCr)
Medical Jaw Implant (Ti)
1. Proper Storage of Metal Powder
Metal powder is hygroscopic, meaning it easily absorbs moisture from the air.
Tip: Store the powder in airtight, dry containers, such as sealed boxes or climate-controlled cabinets. Check regularly for any moisture.
Benefit: Better flow, a more consistent melting process, and cleaner surfaces.
2. Ensure Powder Quality & Purity
Foreign particles or mixing different materials, can affect quality.
Tip: Keep powders strictly separated by material and use dedicated tools for each type. Keep the workspace clean and perform regular quality checks.
Benefit: Uniform density, reproducible strength, and consistently high part quality.
3. Manage Protective Gas & Build Chamber
The right protective gas prevents oxidation, and a clean build chamber ensures stable results.
Tip: Choose the appropriate protective gas (e.g., argon for titanium and aluminum) and clean the build chamber after each print. Ensure a steady gas flow.
Benefit: Ensures strong adhesion, uniform density, and high-quality surfaces.
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More Information4. Choose the Right Build Platform
The build platform affects adhesion and stress relief during cooling. Using the wrong material can lead to warping or poor adhesion.
Tip:
- Titanium: Print only on a titanium build platform
- Aluminum: Print only on an aluminum build platform
- Other Metals: Stainless steel platforms are versatile, offering good adhesion and high temperature resistance
Benefit: Stable parts and reliable print results without cracking.
5. Use Support Structures Cleverly
Support structures (lattice and rod supports) stabilize parts and effectively conduct heat away.
Tip: Place supports strategically so they provide stability but can be easily removed after printing.
Benefit: Stable parts, high-quality surfaces, and easy post-processing.
Which Supports to Use?
- Lattice Supports (lattice structures) are ideal for large, complex parts.
- Rod Supports (rod structures) are better for small or delicate areas.
6. Optimize Part Orientation
The orientation of a part affects heat dissipation, stability, and post-processing effort.
Tip: Orient parts so that stresses are evenly distributed and as few supports as possible are needed.
Benefit: Stable parts, high-quality surfaces, and easy post-processing.
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More Information7. Adjust Printing Parameters
The right settings for laser power, scan speed, track spacing, and layer thickness ensure the material melts evenly.
Tip: Regularly check parameters and adjust them for each material. Tools like the 2Connect web app provide verified printing strategies for different metals.
Benefit: Uniform parts, reliable strength, and reproducible quality.
8. Stress Relief Annealing
In metal 3D printing, internal stresses can develop due to uneven cooling, which may cause warping or cracks.
Tip: Stress relief annealing reduces these stresses evenly—especially important for large, complex, or delicate parts.
Benefit: Stable parts with high dimensional accuracy and long service life.
Conclusion
With careful powder handling, clean processes, and optimally adjusted parameters, high-quality parts can be reliably produced in metal 3D printing.
By following these best practices, manufacturers can ensure part stability, consistent quality, and efficient production.
Efficient
Heat Treatment
Efficient post-processing. Powered by real-world expertise – with the HTS-2/Metal Glow-120+ and Glow Cube-200+.
Metal 3D Printing in Minimal Space
Discover how metal 3D printing fits into minimal space with 2Create — complete with cleaning, powder recycling, and gas supply for various applications.
