2023 Best 3D Printing Machine for Sale

SLM Metal 3D Printer

The metal 3D printer is a device that melts metal powder completely under the heat of the laser beam and then solidifies the melted powder by cooling to achieve metallurgical welding. It works by laying a layer of metal powder with a recoater on the processing station and then speedily irradiating the power by the laser beam following a certain path under the control of the Galvo scanner to melt and solidify the powder and form a metallurgical cladding layer. Next, the station is lowered to the same height as a layer of deposition, and another layer of powder is laid to be processed. A complete object is molded by repeating the above procedure.

SLS Nylon 3D Printer

The nylon 3D printer works by accumulating part slices layer by layer to obtain the required object. The laser beam emitting through the Galvo Scanner irradiates the metal powder to melt it and then form a solidified layer, which is part of the finished workpiece. The next layer continues to be processed on top of the first layer until the entire workpiece is manufactured.

SLA Resin 3D Printer

Resin 3D printers are additive manufacturing devices that use ultraviolet (UV) laser beams to selectively cure polymeric resins layer by layer to manufacture objects. The material used in SLA 3D printing machines is a liquid photosensitive thermoset polymer. The resin 3D printing machine utilizes a laser beam of specific intensity to irradiate the surface of the light-cured materials (mainly resin) to make every layer of the workpiece from point to line to line to surface. Repeat the above procedure to manufacture the entire workpiece.

Metal Industrial-Level 3D Printing Machine - SLM

The cartridge of the SLM 3D printing machine is loaded with metal powder, which is laid thinly on the processing station by a recoater. A high-power laser then selectively melts the 2D powder layer of the workpiece. Afterward, the processing station declines one layer in height, and a new layer of powder is laid on it. A complete workpiece is molded by repeating this procedure. Finally, the object is moved off the station by a band saw.

Nylon Industrial-Level 3D Printing Machine - SLS

The SLS 3D printing machine works by spreading a layer of metal powder on the processing station and then a laser beam heats the powder layer according to its cross-sectional contour up to the melting point for sintering. After the completion of one layer, the station lower one layer in height, and another layer of powder is spread evenly and densely and then sintered and bound to the previous layer. The complete workpiece is produced by repeating the above procedure.

Resin Industrial-Level 3D Printing Machine - SLA

The processing platform is fixed in the liquid resin tank at a height of one liquid layer. The SLA 3D printer works by using the UV laser to selectively cure the photopolymer resin layer by layer. The laser beam moves by a set path through the Galvos to irradiate the cross-section of every layer of the model and then cure them. When one layer is manufactured, the platform is moved to a safe position, and a recoater coats the surface with a new layer. This process is repeated until the model is produced. When printing is complete, the model is in a soft and half-cured state. If higher mechanical and thermal properties are required, post-processing by UV light is needed.

• A wide range of metals can be processed by the SLM 3D printer and more than 99% density is produced for processing standard metals with good mechanical properties comparable to traditional methods.

• Complex shapes or internal structures can be achieved(difficult or expensive to achieve by traditional methods)

• The metal 3D printer has the advantage of shorter lead times and more flexible production processes due to no molds required, which is suitable for products with short life cycles.

• Multiple parts can be produced simultaneously and speedily, reducing inventory and increasing capital flows.

• The comprehensive functions of the SLM 3D printing machine make it possible to reduce assembly time, improve material utilization, and save direct costs.

• There are almost no restrictions on product shapes, and parts with complex structures, such as cavities and three-dimensional grids can be produced.

• The metal 3D printing machine is high cost-effectiveness because of no need for expensive production equipment.

• The SLM 3D printer produces products with better quality and high mechanical load performance comparable to traditional production techniques, such as forging.

• Production in small bulk is supported.

Metal 3D printers are used in various fields, such as the automotive industry (rapid manufacturing of molds), electronics (product design), aerospace (components), the mold industry, commercial machines, and the biomedical field (stents, joint prostheses).

Replacing mold castings is a key application of SLM 3D printing machines in the automotive industry, such as aluminum alloy brackets. Aluminum alloy engine brackets with an internal cooling structure can be produced by metal 3D printing machines. The bracket can be installed on motor pumps to reach insulation and cooling. Compared to traditional manufacturing methods, SLM 3D printers require much less cost and time to produce complex parts.

In addition, brake calipers are also a common application of Metal 3D Printers in the automotive industry. Brake calipers produced by SLM 3D printers are not only lightweight but also better than those made by traditional methods in terms of their high load-bearing under high-temperature and high-pressure environments, which can better meet the stringent requirements of the automotive industry.

In the motor housing, new types of engines produced by SLM 3D printing machines integrate a cooling structures with the motor housing, which is extremely important for electric engines. The integrated aluminum parts made by SLM 3D printing machines are stronger with higher strength of overall joint and excellent cooling performance.

Metal 3D printing machines play an important role in the automotive industry and can even change the overall structure of a car. Nowadays, an increasing number of parts produced by additive manufacturing equipment have also been successfully used for cars manufactured in bulk.

SLM 3D printers can manufacture small and complex molds that are difficult to be produced by conventional methods. In addition, the time used for designing and completing production is shorter than that by traditional manufacturing which includes modeling first and then machining by CNC. Besides, faster development of new molds with new patterns can be achieved by metal 3D printers.

SLM 3D printing machines can manufacture thin steel tire molds without stamping, bending, manual installation, and welding being needed. That is very cost-effective.

• High processing accuracy. The general accuracy of the nylon 3D printing machine is ±0.2mm.

• No bracket is needed. It is the most advantageous feature of the SLS 3D printer. The overhanging layer during the processing can be directly supported by the un-sintered powder.

• High effectiveness of material utilization. The nylon 3D printer has the highest effectiveness of material utilization and is relatively cost-effective among the common 3D printers without the usage of brackets and base. Un-sintered materials can be reused, resulting in less material waste and lower cost.

• High molding efficiency. Since SLS 3D printing machines do not completely melt the powder but only sinter it, the manufacturing speed is fast.

• A wide range of applications. Because the diversity of molding materials can be processed by the nylon 3D printing machine, different molding materials can be used to manufacture sintered parts for different purposes, such as prototype models, mold masters, fine casting molds, shell molds, and core molds.

• Possible to manufacture complex structures, for instance, hollow structures. The process is not restricted by the complexity of the part and the strength of the manufactured part is high.

• Suitable for a wide range of molding materials. Generally speaking, any powders that create an inter-atomic bond after being heated can be used as molding materials for the SLS 3D printer.

Nylon powder and its composites are the most commonly used materials for nylon 3D printers. Nylon is applied in many fields due to its good thermoplasticity, biocompatibility, strength, and toughness. The SLS 3D printing machine features high molding efficiency, high precision, high processing quality, high material utilization, and no bracket needed.

At present, nylon 3D printing machines have mature applications in various industries, such as automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, medical, education and cultural creativity, and hand board. Besides, it is also widely applied for product design and development, including the test of size, appearance, assembly, and function, as well as for product manufacturing in small or medium batches.

Take the automotive industry, samples manufactured by the SLS 3D printer can be used in the manufacturing department to make interior and exterior parts for new models, such as center consoles, wheel, air-conditioning vents, lamp frames, and air intake grilles, front and rear bumpers, and even doors. These parts are suitable for dimensional verification, assembly verification, and even part of them for driving tests, which saves the automaker the cost and time spent on research and development, thus launching new cars on the market faster.

In addition, nylon 3D printers can also produce customized eyeglass frames, cell phone shells, shoes of high personality, TPU insoles, and TPU headrests. These daily products produced by SLS 3D printing machines feature high comfort, thus improving life quality.

• The resin 3D printer features the longest development time, well-establishment, and wide applications. It accounts for a high percentage among the rapid prototyping machines installed around the world.

• The SLA 3D printing machine has the advantage of faster molding speed with stable system operation.

• The Resin 3D printing machine manufactures objects with smooth finishes and high flexibility.

• SLA 3D printers can produce parts with very high dimensional accuracy and highly complex structures to the micron level, such as 0.025mm.

• The SLA 3D printer is suitable to process fine parts and also prototypes and molds with complex structures or difficult to manufacture by traditional methods.

• The resin 3D printer can meet various performance requirements because it is compatible with special materials, such as transparent, flexible, and cast resin.

• The use of CAD digital models makes processing speed fast and the production cycle short, and no cutting tools and molds are required. The cost of error repair is reduced due to the visualization of the CAD digital model.

• The SLA 3D printing machine can verify and calibrate the results of computer simulating calculations, which provides samples for experiments.

• The SLA 3D printer can be operated online and also controlled remotely, which facilitates automated production.

Principle of shell extraction of thick models 

For thick models, it is recommended to extract their shells if performance is not affected. The extraction of shells can reduce the weight and cost of the model. For large-surface models, reinforcement is advised to be employed after extraction, which can greatly reduce the deformation of models. Model structures need taking into consideration to decide whether to reinforce or not.

Principle of assembly parts

Assembly models generally have several independent shells. For easy disassembly of assembly models, model disassembly is recommended during processing, so that the independent placement of parts and the best surface quality of the product are not affected. The recommended assembly gap is more than 0.3mm.

Principle of parts splicing

For oversized pieces beyond the size of the processing platform, splicing can be used. The recommended assembly gap is more than 0.3mm. Triangle, rectangle, serrated, tab, and pin type by using AB glue for positioning connection can be added during splicing.

Principle of hole-drilling

Hole-drilling is required in the minor surfaces of the model to ensure the smooth flow of liquid resin in the inner cavity of the model after extracting the shell to reduce the weight of the model and lower the cost of model manufacturing. The diameter of holes is related to the surface size of the model, but it is generally recommended that the minimum diameter is 3mm and the maximum 30mm. The exact diameter should be designed according to the size and specific structure of the model.

Principle of coloring

For simple coloring, integrated processing and then coloring is recommended, while for complex coloring, the model should be disassembled according to coloring requirements, and then be assembled after coloring. For assembly, the connected structure and gap are set by the principle of splicing.