Metal 3D printing via laser melting (SLM) and design services for additively manufactured components.
3D4U GmbH
Lichtenstein – Unterhausen · DENew on Amplifa
About 3D4U
3D4U GmbH, based in Lichtenstein–Unterhausen (Baden-Württemberg), specializes in the additive manufacturing of metal components using selective laser melting (SLM). From metal powders – aluminium, titanium, stainless steel and martensitic hardening tool steel 1.2709 – components are built up layer by layer with a part density of over 99.7%; the maximum build volume in one piece is 250 x 250 x 310 mm with layer thicknesses of 20 to 50 µm. In addition to manufacturing, the company offers design services, accompanies projects from single components through to production lines based on SOLIDWORKS, and optimizes CAD models for 3D printing. Via partners, finishing processes such as surface treatment, welding, milling, EDM as well as heat treatment/hardening (up to 52 HRC) are offered, so that ready-to-install parts with the desired tolerances can be delivered. Target industries are racing/motorsport, aerospace, toolmaking, mechanical engineering and automotive, especially for small series and prototypes.
- Site
- Lichtenstein
- Processes
- Selective laser melting (SLM process, direct metal 3D printing), Layer thicknesses 20 µm, 40 µm, 50 µm (SLM), Heat treatment/hardening (post-processing, hardenable up to 52 HRC), Design services / 3D printing design (SOLIDWORKS), Post-processing by partners: surface treatment, welding, milling, EDM, SLM of tool steel 1.2709 (part accuracy small ± 0.1 mm, large ± 0.2 %; wall thickness 0.4–0.5, SLM of aluminium alloy AlSi10Mg (part accuracy small ± 0.1 mm, large ± 0.2–0.5 %;, Metal 3D printing (SLM/laser melting)
- Materials
- Aluminium, Titanium, Stainless steel, Tool steel, Tool steel 1.2709 (X3NiCoMoTi 18 9 5, 18% Ni Maraging 300, A646, M300), Aluminium casting alloy AlSi10Mg (EN AC-43000, 3.2382), Selective laser melting, Tool steel 1.2709 (X3NiCoMoTi 18 9 5, Maraging 300)
- Industries
- Racing/Motorsport, Aerospace, Toolmaking, Mechanical engineering, Automotive, Prototyping
- 01
Design (SOLIDWORKS, optimized for 3D printing)
- 02
Selective laser melting (SLM)
- 03
Heat treatment/hardening (up to 52 HRC)
- 04
Post-processing via partners (milling, EDM, welding)
- 05
Delivery of ready-to-install parts
Materials & Processes
Selective laser melting
Additive manufacturing process that builds up powdered metal layer by layer using a laser – particularly economical for small series and one-off productions.
Tool steel 1.2709 (X3NiCoMoTi 18 9 5, Maraging 300)
Martensitic hardening tool steel with high yield strength, hardenable up to 52 HRC, for tool inserts and moulds with conformal cooling channels.
Aluminium casting alloy AlSi10Mg (EN AC-43000, 3.2382)
Universal alloy for thin-walled, complex geometries with good strength, thermal properties and high dynamic load capacity.
Aluminium
Lightweight metal powder for lightweight structures, including lattice structures.
Titanium
For highly stressed components in racing and aerospace.
Stainless steel
For corrosion-exposed metallic functional parts.
Location
Lichtenstein – Unterhausen
DECompany headquarters and 3D printing manufacturing
- Part weight / size
- Components up to 250 x 250 x 310 mm
- Lot size
- One-off production to small series
- Materials
- Aluminium, titanium, stainless steel, tool steel 1.2709
- SLM systems (laser melting)
- SOLIDWORKS design
Components
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selective laser melting (SLM process, direct metal 3D printing)Additive | +/- 0.7 %, min. 0.1 mm · Ra 2.5 – 8 µm / Rz 15 – 50 µm | 310 mm × 250 mm × 250 mm | – | – | Aluminium, Titanium, Stainless steel, Tool steel 1.2709, Aluminium alloy AlSi10Mg |
| Layer thicknesses 20 µm, 40 µm, 50 µm (SLM)Additive | – | – | – | – | Aluminium, Titanium, Stainless steel, Tool steel |
| Heat treatment/hardening (post-processing, hardenable up to 52 HRC)Heat treatment | – | – | – | – | Tool steel 1.2709 |
| Design services / 3D printing design (SOLIDWORKS)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Post-processing by partners: surface treatment, welding, milling, EDMSurface | – | – | – | – | – |
| SLM of tool steel 1.2709 (part accuracy small ± 0.1 mm, large ± 0.2 %; wall thickness 0.4–0.5Additive | ±0.1 mm (small parts), ±0.2 % (large parts) · Rz = 60 µm ± 20 µm (as built), Rz < 1 | – | – | – | Tool steel 1.2709 / A646 / M300 |
| SLM of aluminium alloy AlSi10Mg (part accuracy small ± 0.1 mm, large ± 0.2–0.5 %;Additive | ±0.1 mm (small parts), ±0.2–0.5 % (large parts) · Rz = 60 µm ± 20 µm (as built), Rz = 20 | – | – | – | AlSi10Mg / EN AC-43000 / 3.2382 |
Additional services