Direct Metal 3D Print Process Overview and Comparison | 3D Systems

Direct Metal Printing

Quickly and accurately manufacture complex metal parts.

Process Comparison Table

	Stereolithography (SLA)	Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)	Direct Metal Printing (DMP)	ColorJet Printing (CJP)	Fused Desposition Modeling	Cast Urethane
Applications	Excellent for fit and form testing Best surface quality and highest resolution, ideal for trade show quality parts Easily finished and painted for demonstration/presentation models	Ideal for durable, functional parts with a variety of applications Capable of producing snap fits and living hinges Heat and chemically resistant	Perfect for complex metal parts that need to be manufactured quickly and accurately Fully dense parts with excellent surface finish	Excellent for demonstration models with full color printing. Perfect for archiecture, consumer product design, healthcare, educational models, crystallography, medical teaching models and more	Ideal for Conceptual models, Engineering models, and Functional testing prototypes.	Ideal for marketing samples Production-like attributes (surface finish, color, accuracy & material properties)


Instant Quoting Maximum Dimensions	Normal Res: 29" x 25" x 21" High Res: 10" x 10" x 10"	30" x 20" x 20"	10.6" x 10.6" x 15.7"	10" x 15" x 8"	14" x 16" x 16"	-


Layer Thickness	Normal Res: .004" High Res: .002"	Normal Res: 0.004"	Normal Res: 0.0024" High Res: 0.0012"	0.004"	Standard Resolution: 0.01";	-
Layer Thickness	Normal Res: .004" High Res: .002"	Normal Res: 0.004"	Normal Res: 0.0024" High Res: 0.0012"	0.004"	Standard Resolution: 0.01";	-
Material Options	Technician's Choice, Accura 25 (ABS/PP-Like), Accura Xtreme White, Accura Xtreme Grey (High-Impact ABS-Like), Somos Next (High-Impact ABS-Like), Accura SL 7820 (ABS-Like), Accura 60 (PC-Like), Accura ClearVue (PC-Like), Accura Bluestone (High-Temp ABS-Like), Accura 48 (High-Temp PC-Like)	Nylon (Duraform PA), Glass-Filled Nylon (Duraform GF), Durable Nylon (Duraform EX Black & White)	Titanium (Ti6Al4V Grade 5), Stainless Steel (316L)	VisiJet PXL	ABS-M30, PC-ABS, Ultem, Polycarbonate	ABS-Like, PE-Like, PP-Like, Elastomer (25A, 30A, 40A, 50A, 60A, 70A, 80A, 90A), Clear, High-strength, High-temp ABS-Like, Custom (Glass Filled, MRI Transparent, ABS-Like, FDA Approved Rigid, FDA Approved Elastomeric, UL94VO Polypropylene, UL94VO ABS-Like
Material Options			Titanium (Ti6Al4V Grade 5), Stainless Steel (316L)	VisiJet PXL	ABS-M30, PC-ABS, Ultem, Polycarbonate
Finish Options	Standard, Pattern, Primed, Paint, Quick Clear, Gloss, Water Clear	Standard Uncoated, Standard Coated, Primed, Painted, Dyed	Anodized, EDM, Grinding, Heat Treated, Milling, Polished, Turning, Welding	Standard (With ColorBond Infiltration)	No finish, Standard, Primed, Paint	Functional, Show, Clear (Polished)
Lead Time Options	As little as 2 days	As little as 3 days	As little as 8 business days	Standard (5 -7 Days)	Standard (3 - 5 days)	First article in as little as 6 days
Recommended Minimum Feature Size	Normal Res: 0.025" - 0.035" High Res: 0.010" - 0.015"	0.030"	0.010"	.060"	0.025"	0.025"

Direct Metal Printing (DMP), also commonly known as Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), is an additive manufacturing technology that builds high quality complex metal parts from 3D CAD data. In the machine, a high precision laser is directed to metal powder particles to selectively build up thin horizontal metal layers one after the other. This cutting edge technology allows for the production of metal parts with challenging geometries, not possible using traditional subtractive or casting technologies. A variety of functional metals are available to print designs, from prototypes to production series of up to 20,000 units.

Production of small and extremely complex shapes with no need for tooling
High quality parts ideal for R&D and serial part manufacturing at the tightest tolerances
Industry’s best surface finished parts with exceptional accuracy
Accommodate innovative part design versus conventional processes
Topology optimized parts and mass customization
Complex and thin-walled structures allow significant part weight reduction