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What is DED 3D Printing?

Direct Energy Deposition (DED) is an advanced additive manufacturing technology that uses a high-energy heat source, such as a laser or electron beam, to melt and deposit metal powder or wire onto a substrate. This process enables the creation of complex, high-strength metal components and the repair or enhancement of existing parts. DED is widely used in aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications for producing durable, high-performance parts.

DED Materials

AISI 316L

AISI 316L is a stainless steel alloy known for its exceptional corrosion resistance, high-temperature durability, and excellent workability. When processed with DED technology, it enables the production of complex, high-quality metal parts by depositing layers of fused metal directly onto a work surface. AISI 316L produced via DED is widely used in aerospace, automotive, marine, and medical industries for high-performance components and customized metal parts.

Inconel 625

Inconel 625 is a nickel-based superalloy known for its excellent corrosion resistance, high strength, and thermal stability. It is widely used in aerospace, marine, and chemical industries for applications such as turbine components, heat exchangers, and offshore structures requiring resistance to extreme environments.

Inconel 718

Inconel 718 is a high-strength nickel alloy with excellent toughness, fatigue resistance, and thermal stability up to 700°C. Used for repair and manufacturing of high-stress components, it is applied in gas turbines, aerospace engines, power plants, and oil & gas equipment

H13 Stainless Steel

H13 stainless steel is a hot-work tool steel known for its excellent thermal fatigue resistance, toughness, and high-temperature strength. It is widely used in die-casting molds, extrusion tools, aerospace components, and industrial applications requiring durability under thermal and mechanical stress.

17-4PH

17-4 PH is a precipitation-hardening stainless steel offering high strength, corrosion resistance, and good mechanical properties. It is widely used in aerospace, medical, and industrial applications, including tooling, structural components, and marine environments requiring durability and moderate corrosion resistance.

DED Material Properties Compared

Material

Max. dimensions

316L

650x650x600 mm

Inconel 625

650x650x600 mm

Inconel718

650x650x600 mm

H13 Stainless Steel

650x650x600 mm

17-4PH

650x650x600 mm

DED Surface Post-Processes

CNC machining

Enhances part precision with tight tolerances and smooth surfaces through post-processing on DMLS printed components.

Heat Treatment

Improves mechanical properties and strength of metal parts through controlled heating and cooling processes.

Pros & Cons of DED 3D Printing

Pros

Produces high-strength metal components

Ideal for repairing and enhancing existing metal parts

Allows for functionally graded materials and multi-material builds

Minimal material waste compared to traditional machining

Cons

Requires post-processing for optimal surface finish

Limited geometric complexity compared to other AM processes

DED capabilities compared with other technologies

Capabilities

Max. Dimensions

Min. Feature Size

Min. wall thickness

Tolerance

Description

SLS

680x380x540 mm

0.8mm

0.7-1.3 mm 

±0.3% (±0.3mm)

Uses a laser to fuse powdered materials layer by layer, ideal for creating durable and complex parts without support structures,  widely employed in aerospace, automotive, and medical industries.

DMLS

500x280x340 mm

0.6-0.8 mm

0.22 mm

±0.25 (≤15mm);
±0.5 (>15mm)

Similar to SLS but uses metal powders, producing high-strength, intricate metal parts suitable for functional prototypes and end-use components in aerospace, medical, and automotive industries.

SLA

1350x750x500 mm

0.2-0.5 mm

1-3 mm

±0.2% (min. 0.2 mm)

Employs a UV laser to cure liquid resin into solid layers, ideal for creating highly detailed, smooth, and intricate parts. Widely used for detailed prototypes and intricate designs in jewelry and dental applications.

MJF

380x284x380 mm

0.5 mm

0.3-0.5 mm

±0.3% (±0.2 mm)

Utilizes multiple jets to apply fusing agents onto powder, which is then fused by heating elements. Delivers high-resolution, functional parts with fast production times, often used in aerospace, automotive, and consumer goods industries.

Polyjet

490x380x200 mm

1.2-2 mm

1 mm

±0.1%

Jetting liquid photopolymer resin and curing it layer by layer with UV light, enabling highly detailed, multi-material parts with diverse properties. Popular in prototyping and complex, color-rich models in medical modeling, consumer goods and electronics fields.

FDM

914x690x914 mm

1.2-1.5 mm

1.5 mm

±0.5% (±0.5 mm)

Uses a heated nozzle to extrude thermoplastic filament layer by layer, ideal for creating durable and functional prototypes. Commonly used in manufacturing, automotive, and consumer products.

DLP

510x280x350 mm

0.5 mm

1 mm

±0.30 mm < 100mm;
±0.3% > 100 mm

Uses a digital light projector to cure liquid resin layer by layer, providing fast and precise prints with high resolution. Commonly used in dental, jewelry, and high-detail prototype applications.

Large Scale

2500x2500x4000 mm

3 mm

-

±5 mm/mtl

Uses a digital light projector to cure liquid resin layer by layer, providing fast and precise prints with high resolution. Commonly used in dental, jewelry, and high-detail prototype applications.

DED

1200x800x600 mm

-

-

-

Uses an electron beam to melt and deposit metal powders or wire, ideal for repairing or adding features to metal parts in aerospace and manufacturing.

Bindet Jet

430x310x150 mm

-

-

±3% mm

Involves depositing a binder material onto a powder bed to form parts, which are then sintered. Useful for producing complex, cost-effective parts, often used automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods industries as well as jewerky.

FAQ about our DED 3D Printing service

What are the mechanical properties of DED 3D printed parts?

DED 3D printed parts exhibit excellent mechanical strength, high-temperature resistance, and superior corrosion resistance. The properties depend on the material used, the geometry of the parts and post-processing treatments applied.

What are the dimensional tolerances of DED parts?

DED parts typically achieve dimensional tolerances of ±1 mm after printing but it can be enhanced in post process via CNC machining. Accuracy varies based on material type, build geometry, and post-processing steps.

What are the design constraints for DED?

- Minimum Feature Size: 2-3 mm depending on the laser spot diameter of the print head and the geometry.
- Surface Finish: Due to the nature of the deposition process, post-processing is always required to improve surface quality.
- Post-Processing: Heat treatment, machining, and surface finishing may be necessary to achieve final specifications.

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