Additive manufacturing of Near Net Shape or Net Shape components
The Additive Manufacturing technology is an innovative solution for the manufacturing of Near Net Shape (NNS) or Net Shape (NS) metal components using metal powders. This powder metallurgy technology is used more and more widely in many industries such as aerospace, energy, transportation, tooling and medical industries.
Additive Manufacturing is also known as Rapid prototyping, Direct metal deposition, Additive Layer manufacturing, or Freeform Fabrication: Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Electron Beam Melting (EBM).
In the Additive Manufacturing process, thin layers of metal powders are melted thanks to a selective laser or EB melting. The addition of metal powders layers and the melting of these layers takes place until the final 3D shape is obtained.
Pearl® metal powders from Erasteel are tailored for additive manufacturing applications and include a wide range of stainless steels, tool steels as well as Nickel or Cobalt base powders.