Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) is a layered process that enables the fabrication of complex net-shape mold inserts and metal components directly from 3D CAD data. The new generation machine EOSINT M270 was announced late 2003 and introduced to the market in 2004. The main difference compared to the previous generation machine EOSINT M250 Xtended is the new type of diode pumped fiber laser with very good beam characteristics. The new solid-state laser has made a smaller laser beam spot size possible, which allows precise processing of very fine details. The absorption of laser energy into the metal powder has also improved due to the shorter wavelength.
This paper presents the effects of the new solid-state fiber laser on the DMLS process, material characteristics of sintered metals and comparisons to the previous DMLS process using traditional CO2 laser.