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The 5 Best 3 in 1 3D Printers 2022 (with Laser Engraving & CNC!)
Ideally, we would all own one machine that could complete every manufacturing task required – a 3D laser printer that printed, laser cut, CNC carved, and more. While not quite there yet, 3 in 1 3D printers offer jack-of-all-trades versatility across 3D printing, CNC machining, and laser engraving – to various levels.
These printers, sometimes called multifunction 3D printers or AIO 3D printers, feature removable tool heads that can be switched out to change their function. If you want to create a prototype and want to carve a wood model first, use the CNC machine, and then switch back to the 3D printer extruder to create the final plastic prototype.
Top 3-in-1 Pick For 3D Printing, CNC & Laser Cutting
Snapmaker 2.0 Modular 3 in 1 3D Printer A350T/A250T
$1169 ($600 off!)
Switch the toolheads within minutes to 3D print, CNC cut, and laser cut and engrave in one machine. You can even buy the higher-power 10W laser attachment, a 4-axis rotary add-on for cutting or engraving round objects, and more!
Snapmaker here
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Having tested dozens of 3D printers over the years, including our top pick, the Snapmaker 2.0, we’ve collated our findings into our top recommendations for 3-in-1 3D printers to help you make the best choice for you.
Name and brand | Type of printer | Build volume (mm) | Price | Available at: |
---|---|---|---|---|
Snapmaker 2.0 | 3 in 1 3D printer | Varies by model | $1,199-$1,799 | Snapmaker here |
Snapmaker Original | 3 in 1 3D printer | 125 x 125 x 125 | $450 | Snapmaker here |
ZMorph Fab | 4 in 1 3D printer | 250 x 235 x 165 | $4,000 | Amazon here |
Creality CP-01 | 3 in 1 3D printer | 200 x 200 x 200 | $819 | Amazon here |
Ecubmaker TOYDIY | 4 in 1 3D printer | 180 x 180 x 180 | $549 | Amazon here |
5axismaker | CNC mill 3D printer | Varies by model | £5,500 / £6,800 | |
Diabase H-Series | 3D printer CNC hybrid | Depends on number of axes | $9,750+ |
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How good are all in 1 3D printers?
Naturally, focusing on being good enough at everything means some quality is lost in some areas. Elites athletes could not compete at the top of the NBA, NFL, and NHL simultaneously – even Michael Jordan couldn’t crack baseball – and the same is true for less specialized all in 1 3D printers.
That doesn’t mean that the 3D printer and laser engraver hybrids we recommend don’t perform well. For hobbyist projects, 3D laser printers are great – but we do not recommend starting a full-service manufacturing company after buying a desktop 3D printer laser engraver CNC mill machine.
The criteria we used to judge the best 3 in 1 3D printers
In rating the 3 in 1 3D printers we recommend below, we compared:
- 3D printer quality: most of these 3 in one 3D printers are made by 3D printer companies and are mostly focused on additive manufacturing. Therefore, the 3D printer’s quality is key.
- CNC mill power: some CNC machines cannot fully mill, but just engrave. More powerful CNC machines spin faster, can carve tougher materials, and work more accurately and for longer.
- Laser engraver power: as with the CNC machine, some all in 1 laser engraver 3D printers can only engrave, whereas others can cut through materials.
- How easy is it to change the tool heads: it’s all well and good having powerful tool heads that work perfectly, but if they’re too difficult or delicate to switch out, they may as well only have one function.
- Effectiveness of software: most of our recommendations feature specialized software that can slice models for 3D printing, and prepare CNC and laser projects. The best software is easy to use, yet effective and reliable across every function.
The Best All in 1 3D printers
Snapmaker 2.0 – comes in 3 forms: A150, A250 & A350
- Price: $1,199 to $1,799 — Best price on Snapmaker Store here / Available on Amazon here
- Build volumes: A150 = 160 x 160 x 145 mm / A250 = 230 x 250 x 235 mm / A350 = 320 x 350 x 350 mm
- Type: 3D in 1 3D printer: 3D printing, CNC and laser engraving
The Snapmaker Original already made waves when it raised over $2. 2M on Kickstarter, but the Snapmaker 2.0 completely obliterated that by becoming the most funded technology project in the history of Kickstarter, raising an astonishing $7.85M. Thousands of elated fans who loved the Snapmaker Original came back to support the new version, and it has remained the most popular all in 1 3D printer since its full release.
We have tested and reviewed the Snapmaker 2.0, and waxed lyrical about how great it was. It is undoubtedly the best 3-in-1 3D printer around, offering a fantastic 3D printing experience, as well as a great CNC carving and laser option. Arguably you could even call it a 4-in-1 3D printer, as you can also buy the 4-axis rotary module add-on which turns the laser and CNC toolheads into 360-degree, 4-axis versions. We carved cylindrical chess pieces, engraved cylinder gift boxes, and more with this add-on.
Using the 4-axis rotary module to CNC carve a lion.The 3D printer can print PLA, ABS and flexible filaments like TPU, and with WiFi connectivity as well as a USB port you can print remotely online, or offline using a USB. The portable and movable touchscreen used to operate the printer looks and acts like a smartphone, simplifying your workflow and making it easy to control and manage projects.
Moreover, the filament run out detector automatically pauses your print when you run out, giving you time to load more filament and resume without ruining your print, and if you buy the enclosure add-on you can more easily print ABS to prevent warping — and it’ll keep dust in from CNC, and the laser brightness out of your eyes.
A vase we 3D printed with the Snapmaker 2.0.As a laser engraver, you can create contrasting images on fabrics, leather, plywood and acrylic materials. The built-in camera lets you remotely monitor your design and ensure everything goes smoothly. It’s an effective low-cost 3D laser printer. We also tested it as a laser cutter, and managed to cut out and assemble a gift box from a thin sheet of soft wood 1.5mm thick.The Snapmaker 2.0 also works as a laser cutter as well as a 3D printer.
The CNC machine can carve designs on walnut, PCB woods, as well as carbon fiber sheets, acrylic and hardwood. A key upgrade on the 2.0 is the increased speed, meaning that larger projects can be created in record time.
Overall, we highly recommend the Snapmaker 2.0 models, of which we tested the largest version — the Snapmaker 2.0 A350. You can optionally buy the enclosure, 4-axis rotary module, and the new 10W powerful laser toolhead, but we did not try the 10W laser add-on.
For our CNC & laser review: we tested the Snapmaker 2.0 CNC and laser toolheadsThe finished lion CNC carved piece, from the Snapmaker 2.0 3-in-1 3D printer.
We recommend picking up the enclosure for safer and more consistent making, as well as spare bits for CNC. Snapmaker’s store has all these in one place, which you can visit here.
Top 3-in-1 Pick For 3D Printing, CNC & Laser Cutting
Snapmaker 2.0 Modular 3 in 1 3D Printer A350T/A250T
$1169 ($600 off!)
Switch the toolheads within minutes to 3D print, CNC cut, and laser cut and engrave in one machine. You can even buy the higher-power 10W laser attachment, a 4-axis rotary add-on for cutting or engraving round objects, and more!
Snapmaker here
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Snapmaker Original — good starter laser engraver 3D printer
- Price: $439 — Available on Snapmaker Official Site here / Available on Amazon here
- Build Volume: 125 x 125 x 125 mm
- Type: 3 in 1 3D printer: 3D printing, CNC and laser engraving
Snapmaker came out and made headlines when they raised an incredible $2.2M on Kickstarter for their first all in 1 3D printer, the Snapmaker Original. Functional as a small 3D printer as well as able to carve wood and engrave images on phone cases and other materials, the Snapmaker Original captured the hearts of many makers worldwide, becoming a roaring success.
- You can also buy an enclosure for the printer here.
The 3D printer’s heated bed can reach up to 80C, allowing for the printing ABS as well as PLA. It’s precise, with up to 50-micron layer resolutions. The heavy metal frame anchors the printer down and improves stability and durability, with the heavier frame less susceptible to vibrations that could affect print quality and surface finish.
The CNC carver can create intricate details in areas up to 90 x 90 x 50 mm, and the laser engraver works on areas up to 125 x 125 mm.
Snapmaker’s 3 in 1 software, Snapmaker Luban, can 3D print, CNC and laser engrave all in one platform and switch seamlessly between each tool head.
Snapmaker claim you can build the 3D printer in just 10 minutes, and that switching out tool heads to change the all-in-one 3D printer’s function is very simple. Highly rated by makers as one of the best 3 in 1 3D printers in its price range, the Snapmaker have since recently followed up the Original with the Snapmaker 2.0, with larger build volumes and a higher price tag. A selection of wood and other material parts carved using the Snapmaker Original’s CNC tool head. Source: snapmaker.com
ZMorph Fab — 4 in 1 3D printer
- Price: $3,999 for the full set — Available on Matterhackers here / 3DPrima Europe here
- Build Volume: 250 x 235 x 165 mm
- Type: 4 in 1 3D printer: with CNC milling, laser cutting & engraving, and thick paste extruder
- Country based: Poland
Polish 3D printer company ZMorph make some of the most versatile all in 1 3D printers around, with the Fab able to 3D print, CNC machine, engrave and laser cut, and can even be switched into a food 3D printer using ZMorph’s thick paste extruder. This edible material option can print chocolate, as well as other similar materials like icing and cooking dough.
- We also have a ranking of the best food 3D printers.
- We also have a ranking of the best chocolate 3D printers.
ZMorph 3D printers are famed for their reliability and workhorse-like qualities, with the Fab no different. It’s a great 3D printer, with a high-quality heated bed that can comfortably 3D print ABS, HIPS, and other tougher filaments like Nylon. The printer can level itself automatically, and turn from a 3D printer to laser engraver or CNC router with ease.
Additionally, with the dual head option, the ZMorph performs well as a dual extruder 3D printer, able to 3D print multiple colors, or soluble support materials such as HIPS and PVA, and even blend two colors together for multiple different shades in one part. The 3D laser printer CNC hybrid can be adjusted to print both 1.75mm and 3mm 3D printer filaments, and has a large enough build area to print even the largest of projects.
Using ZMorph’s CNC tool head, the ZMorph becomes a powerful CNC mill 3D printer that can mill and engrave almost any type of wood, as well as other materials like acrylic glass and EVA foam. The 300W power mills distances of up to 120mm/s, and ZMorph recommend a cutting depth of up to 0.5mm.
The Laser PRO tool head turns the Fab into a laser engraver 3D printer capable of burning and engraving plywood and many other types of wood, cardboard, leather, and acrylic glass using its powerful yet compact 2. 8W blue laser. Though the default speed is 15mm/s, the laser can work up to 120mm/s for faster engraving.
ZMorph’s Voxelizer 2 software acts as a 3D slicer for 3D printing parts, as well as offering CAD CAM software features for CNC and laser cutting models, all in one. Overall, it’s a fantastic and extremely versatile all in one 3D printer, and the closest available option to a full manufacturing suite machine.The ZMorph CNC tool head creating a design from wood. Source: ZMorph on Medium.
Creality CP-01
- Price: $819 — Available on Amazon here
- Build Volume: 200 x 200 x 200 mm
- Type: 3 in 1 3D printer: 3D printer, CNC & laser engraving
Creality make the current most popular affordable 3D printers in the world, including the Ender 3, Ender 5, and CR-10 ranges. The Creality CP-01 is their venture into the all-in-1 3D printer sector, offering CNC carving and laser engraving along with their 3D printer.
- We also have a ranking of the best cheap 3D printers.
As a 3D printer, it features a good 200 x 200 x 200 mm print volume, and comes with a heated bed that can reach up to 100C. These temperatures mean that ABS, HIPS and TPU 3D printing should be no problem, and in theory means you could even try printing filaments like Polycarbonate and carbon fiber.
The textured glass print bed should help with adhesion and reduce warping, and the direct drive extruder also makes flexible filament 3D printing easier in most cases.
As a laser engraver, the Creality CP-01 3-in-1 3D printer features 0.5W laser tool, which can engrave areas of up to 100 x 90 mm. The engraver can create contrasting greyscale art on paper, plastics, and wood.
As a CNC carver, the CP-01 features a 4800RPM spinning CNC spindle capable of carving plastics, wood and PCB. It can carve the same sized areas as the 3D printer, at 200 x 200 mm.
The CP-01 comes with Creality’s own Workshop 3D printer software, which supports engraving and CNC functions. For 3D printing, Creality’s standalone Creality Slicer works well.
Overall, it resembles the Snapmaker and appears to offer similar specs and functions, so we will have to see if the kings of cheap 3D printers can compete in the all in 1 3D printer sector.
Each of the Creality CP-01’s tool heads for 3D printing, CNC cutting and laser engraving.5axismaker — Great CNC 3D printer
- Price: £5,500 / £6,800 depending on size
- Build volume: 5xm400 = 400 x 400 x 400mm / 5xm600 = 600 x 600 x 400mm
- Type: 2 in 1 3D printer with CNC milling
London-based 5axismaker have developed an excellent 3D printer CNC machine multi use 3D printer that comes in two main sizes to cover your manufacturing needs:
- 5axismaker 5xm400 model: 400 x 400 x 400 mm build volume
- 5axismaker 5xm600 model: 600 x 600 x 400 mm build volume
As a 3D printer, the 5axismaker comes with a default 0. 6mm nozzle — though you can switch out to a 0.4mm if you’re used to smaller nozzles, as well as sizes up to 1.2mm where speed is of the essence and you’re willing to sacrifice some precision. The 5axismaker can 3D print with PLA or ABS.
As a CNC machine, the 5axismaker offers fast 10,000-15,000 RPM spindle speeds on a powerful 500-1000W brushless motor capable of milling foam prototypes, hardwoods, carbon fiber, engineering plastics, machinable wax, and more. There is also a touchprobe option — but for this toolhead and any other custom tools, you’ll need to contact 5axismaker directly.
5axismaker have also developed their own in-house CAM software to support CNC milling and generate CNC codes, called 5xmonkey. The 5axismaker focuses particularly on CNC machining, choosing not to offer laser engraving with the 3D printer, but delivers well as a 2 in 1 3D printer.
Diabase H-Series — powerful CNC mill 3D printer
- Price: starting at $9,750
- Build volume: depends on the number of axes
Another 2 in 1 3D printer focusing on 3D printing and CNC milling, Diabase offer three different options within the H-series:
- H5-400A Hybrid: doesn’t have the tool plate, 5- or 4-axis upgrade potential, but can still mill printed parts.
- H5-400A CNC Lite: offers 4- and 5-axis upgrading
- H5-400B CNC Full: offers 4-material printing, a 14-tool changer, and high-power spindle
Diabase are already well known for their excellent 3D printer extruders focused on making flexible filament 3D printing as reliable as possible, previously thought to be difficult to print — especially on Bowden extruders.
They now offer a complete manufacturing solution, with their multifunction 3D printers able to print parts and them mill them seamlessly with each toolhead in a cohesive workflow.
The H-Series CNC mill 3D printer hybrid offers up to 5-axis CNC production along with 12,000 RPM speeds, for very intricate and complex part creation. As a 3D printer, it offers multi-material 3D printing, for example with TPU and PVA, with PVA’s solubility making it ideal for simply removing PVA supports later. The CNC mill part can mill soft metals up to 75 HRB strength — it really is a full-service solution. The Diabase H-Series’ rotary axes offer fantastic part complexity and intricate geometry options for manufacturing.
Ecubmaker TOYDIY — 4 in 1 3D printer
- Price: $549 — Available on Amazon here
- Build Volume: 180 x 180 x 180 mm
- Type: 4 in 1 3D printer: FDM, dual color, CNC engraving and laser engraving
- Country based: China
Though it calls itself a 4 in 1 3D printer, this claim involves splitting the 3D printing part into standard FDM 3D printing, and dual color 3D printing, which both fall under 3D printing. In reality, the Ecubmaker TOYDIY is a 3 in 1 3D printer, but with four easily changeable tool heads for 3D printing, CNC engraving or laser engraving.
For 3D printing, the extruder can reach temperatures of up to 240C, with a heated bed that can reach up to 50C. Therefore, printing higher temperature filaments like ABS and HIPS is not possible, and you’re restricted to using the Ecubmaker TOYDIY as a strictly PLA 3D printer. (Testing has occurred for using the dual extruder to print PVA as a support, though the company do not recommend this). Therefore, if using the dual extruder 3D printing option, you can only print two different colors of PLA, rather than soluble material supports.
Each of the Ecubmaker TOYDIY’s four modes.For a 3D laser printer that isn’t specialized in any one dimension, it’s surprisingly accurate – with layer thicknesses of up to 0.05 mm. The bendable, 3-layer build plate also makes removing finished prints easy and helps reduce warping, though PLA rarely warps badly anyway.
As a laser engraver 3D printer, the TOYDIY features a 1500MW purple laser which can engrave wood, plastic, leather, cardboard, and several other materials. However, this is strictly a laser engraver, and cannot cut materials.
The CNC tool head features a 385DC motor, and spins at between 8,000 and 10,000 RPM. The CNC printer can engrave and carve wood, plastics, acrylic and most non-metallic materials, but cannot be used with transparent materials like glass. Ecubmaker also stress that the CNC tool head should not be used for longer than 3 hours at once.
The TOYDIY comes with Ecubmaker’s Ecubware 4 in 1 3D slicer software for every application type. The 3D laser printer comes with an SD card containing tutorials for the 3D printer, engraver and CNC carver to help you get started, and if you encounter any serious problems, you can return it within its warranty.Though only offering a small build volume, the TOYDIY is a great entry level multifunctional 3D printer.
If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:
- Our guide to the best 3D pens
- Our guide to the best 3D scanners
- The complete dual extruder 3D printer buyer’s guide
- Our ranking of the best FDM 3D printers
"budget" laser 3D printer for printing with metal powders
News
compositions costing only half a Gelendvagen (we used to measure in Rolls-Royces).
One Click Metal is, in fact, a subsidiary of the well-known German engineering company Trumpf, which is also engaged in the production of industrial additive installations. The startup entered the market in 2019showcasing the first version of a PBF 3D printer of its own design called MPRINT at Formnext. The company is trying to find a specific niche, namely the production of low-cost additive systems for 3D printing with metal powders. Budget is a relative concept, but shortly before the premiere, One Click Metal CEO Bjorn Ullman estimated the cost at fifty thousand euros. In fact, the original 3D printers cost about that much, while the upgraded systems are offered for one and a half times more, but still much cheaper than most competitive offers ranging from a quarter to half a million dollars.
The updated MPRINT+ model differs from the original in a number of improvements aimed primarily at improving performance and resolution. The 3D printer is equipped with a more powerful 200-watt fiber laser compared to the 100-watt in the original version. With the positioning system, not everything is clear yet. The fact is that the original used a moving head with a diode laser from Trumpf - imagine your FDM 3D printer, but with an engraving laser nozzle on steroids. We have already seen something similar on the XM200 and XM300 3D printers of the American company Xact Metal.
The new system allegedly uses a galvanometric scanning system that provides hatching speeds up to 3 m/s. Ullman at one time argued that a radical reduction in the cost of equipment became possible precisely due to the development of his own, relatively inexpensive scanner, so that a noticeable price jump can be fully explained by the transition to a more complex and expensive, but at the same time faster and more accurate galvanoscanner, if such the transition actually took place. Xact Metal, by the way, did just that, a year after the premiere, remaking the XM200 into the XM200S.
The spot diameter is 45 microns versus 100 microns for the original MPRINT, the layer thickness is set within 20-80 microns, the size of the construction area is 150x150x150 mm, and the density of finished products reaches 99.5%. Printing is carried out in a sealed chamber with a protective nitrogen atmosphere, which allows you to work with active metals and alloys. The company's range of consumables currently includes powders based on aluminium, stainless steel and tool steel.
System accepts four consumable cartridges with 250% overload to reduce downtime. Cartridges are equipped with NFC tags to help you track media type and stock. An optional MPURE station with ultrasonic screening is available for cleaning finished products and preparing residual materials for reuse. The MPREP software is responsible for preparing digital 3D models and managing workflows.
And the moment you've all been waiting for is the cost. The MPRINT+ 3D printer is offered at a selling price of €76,900, and an additional €21,500 will have to be paid for the MPURE station. Additional information is available on the official website of the manufacturer.
Thomas Sunladerer's interview with Bjorn Ullmann about the original MPRINT system (2019):
PBF One Click Metal MPRINT+
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How do 3D printing lasers differ from cutting lasers?
EOS uses lasers to fuse polymer powders (SLS) and metals (DMLS).
Over the past four decades, laser cutting machines have become a must-have tool for the vast majority of sheet metal fabricators.
From CO2 lasers to their newer and more capable solid state cousins, what started as a laboratory experiment 1960s, is today the preferred method for quickly and accurately cutting virtually any metal less than 2.54 cm thick. destined to play an equally important role in production.
In 1987, 3D Systems co-founder Chuck Hull sold the first SLA-1 machine using an ultraviolet laser to cure thin layers of photoreactive resin. Additive manufacturing (AM), better known as 3D printing, was born.
Since then, 3D printing has evolved from a photopolymer-only prototyping process to a viable method for producing final parts. With a variety of materials available, including engineering plastics, superalloys such as titanium and INCONEL, maraging steels, tool steels, and stainless steels, there is nothing that 3D printers cannot produce. And while laser light is not the only technology used to solidify, sinter, melt, or otherwise combine these various materials, it is definitely the leader in additive manufacturing.
Note: This article is a translation.
Long live the difference?
How is a laser capable of cutting through 18mm thick steel different from a laser used to print tooling for press brakes, assembly fixtures and robotic end effectors?
"Metal 3D printing in industry mainly uses fiber lasers with a wavelength of 1070 nanometers, that is, in the infrared range, while for cutting, a continuous solid-state fiber or disk laser with a wavelength in the range from 1030 to 1080 nm is usually used" , explains Dave Locke, Additive Manufacturing Sales Specialist at TRUMPF Inc.
Obviously the wavelengths are similar, but this is not the case for power. The power of lasers installed in TRUMPF printers for metal processing by powder coating (PBF) does not exceed 500 W. Lasers used for cutting, on the contrary, produce up to 6 kilowatts - 12 times more. If you put that much laser power into a 3D printer, it will burn a hole in the bottom of the machine.
However, it is important to understand that laser power is only one operating parameter of many, whether the metal is being fused or cut into pieces. In addition to power, manufacturers are also looking to provide versatility. For example, they go to great lengths to make their products "customizable" (adjustable to work with different materials) depending on the grade and thickness of the material being cut.
Fiber lasers are now able to effectively cut thicker materials that were previously reserved for CO2 lasers.
"bell-shaped Gaussian waveform, similar to that generated by fiber lasers provide very high spot densities, which is what gives them the ability to cut through thin materials,” explains Dustin Deal, product manager for Amada America's laser division. “However, this small spot size becomes less effective when you move up to 1.3 mm cm and above, and this is the reason why CO2 lasers have long offered better speeds and better edge quality on thicker materials. "
"But as technology evolved, Amada (and other companies) found ways to adjust the laser beam diameter and waveform to create a larger spot - shaped like a hat. That's why, and for other reasons, Amada switched completely to fiber in its standard line of laser cutting machines,” says Deal.
Does this mean that CO2 lasers are going down in history? Hardly. "Polymers are basically transparent to shorter fiber laser wavelengths, so using them in 3D printing is like shining a flashlight through the snow," says Damien Gray, Principal Laser Optics Engineer at EOS North America Inc, Pflugerville, Texas. It goes right through. "The light from a CO2 laser, on the other hand, is strongly absorbed by most polymers."
This is good news for selective laser sintering (SLS), the plastic alter ego of PBF metal printing. But there is a caveat: CO2 lasers provide lower print resolution and cannot do the fine details that fiber lasers can.
David Cullen, Director of Application Engineering, 3D Systems Inc. in Rock Hill, South Carolina, explained that the CO2 laser used in his company's SLS printers has a wavelength of about 10,600 nm, which is 10 times longer than a conventional fiber laser. As the wavelength increases, so does the spot size.
"You get a print resolution of 475 microns, or about half a millimeter, which is much better than with metal powder coated machines," he says. "On a positive note, the SLS print speed is one of the fastest in the industry."
Two spots beat one
Like laser cutting equipment manufacturers, 3D printer manufacturers use advanced optics and electronics to change laser parameters on the fly - at least in some cases.
The detail layer is printed on an SLA 3D printer from 3D Systems, the inventor of the stereolithography system.
The SLS setup just reviewed has a fixed beam size, but Cullen said stereolithography (SLA), the technology his company was founded on, now offers two spot sizes.
"By adjusting the crystal orientation in the YAG laser, we can generate a large spot to quickly scan large areas on the inside of a part, and then dynamically switch to a small spot for fine detail and contour tracking," he said. "The result is better part quality and faster assembly."
Ankit Saharan, application development and R&D manager at EOS, agreed on the importance of spot size control, but added that in the case of additive laser manufacturing, there are many more characteristics than spot size and the wavelength or type of laser used for it. creation.
"A small spot size is better than a large one because the smaller the spot, the smaller the melt pool, which means less stress in the workpiece," Saharan said. "We start at around 45 µm on small platforms and go up to 100 µm on large platforms."
However, smaller spot sizes also mean slower settling rates, so a balance must be struck between process stability and cost. In addition, there are many other factors such as layer thickness, powder grain size, powder delivery and application mechanisms, feed material reflectance, and various equipment parameters.
Saharan says, "This is a very complex scenario, and a high quality laser, although important, is only part of what is needed to create a stable additive process.