For the production of components in 17-4 stainless steel or Chrome-Cobalt alloys we use the SLM machine. With the SLM processes is possible to built objects in metal, both stamp insert shots and positive parts, directly and automatically from CAD data, with no equipments and in a few hours. The parts are built layer by layers (same way of the plastic sintering) trough local melting, thanks to a laser beam, with metal powders using very thin grains in order to allow the construction with layer until 20 micron. The ability of the system to create complex geometries in a fast and effective way, the most of them unrealizable with traditional methods, makes possible to realize projects inspections, since the first step of development, and shortens significantly the admission of new products into the Market.

Some of the unique advantages of the process are:

• the object are created by a unique, easy and completely automatic way. Secondary treatments of permeabilty in high temperature kiln with resulting alterations, are not necessary;
• the technology allows to realize really complex geometries as free planning shapes or deep stamp cavity integrated with cooling channels and extractors, even in narrow spaces;
• deep ease of realization for any planning shape or for any strategically innovative product, unrealizable until then.
  The parts can be treated by conventional approaches of polishing (manual and ultrasound), precision turning, welding or even laser welding and carry-over of cold material, removing (milling cutter and both plunge then wire erosion) and generic mechanic manufacturing.

The attention of ProtoCast® is focused on these further main strategic points as: the direct realization of metal object and prototypes, necessary when there is a quick need of little quantities of parts without prearranging specific equipments or manufacturing cycles of machine tools.
In particular cases the little quantities enquired can fully cover the demand of the definitive production. Just think about sectors as:

• biomedical, with little series or even series in various size form-fitting to the surgical demand concerning implants on patients with deeply different body structures;
• aerospace, aeronautic, automotive and nautical equipment, where the quantities are really small, but the necessity to find fitting applications focused on reducing the weights, leads up to the spasmodic research of well-advanced technological solutions, with particular regard on the extreme mechanical properties of the new materials, such as Titanium and its own alloys;
• the complete erasure of "models stock": the extremely short times for the setting-up of the parts in sintering metal allows in a few days to obtain ever-ready models, continuously and further on adapted to the newer project modifications or to changed employment demand. Continuously overcoming, as in a never-ending "working progress" , the planning and application limits

ProtoCast® is developing together with the interested Companies, this delicate but innovative project of Research and Development on processes and using new materials, in order to supply a further step in Progress, in the technological field of metallic materials