The Nikon SLM®800 features an extended z-axis for large-scale part production. The ability to have multiple machines connected via the Nikon SLM® HUB opens new possibilities for large-scale industrial metal additive manufacturing.

• 500 x 280 x 850 mm build envelope

• Multi-laser (quad)

• Permanent filter

• Multi-machine set-up

• Nikon SLM®HUB automated cylinder handling and powder management

Nikon SLM®800

The Nikon SLM®800 efficiently builds large components and opens new production possibilities. All Nikon SLM Solutions’ patented innovations have been scaled up and partnered with features such as a metal recoating brush, permanent filter module and centralized powder supply to enable successful large builds.

The Nikon SLM®HUB and optional Build Cylinder Magazine create an automated, multi-machine production manufacturing cell. The result: A fully automated handling station which maximizes machine uptime and offers a no-contact powder solution for production processes.

Ready for Serial Production

The Nikon SLM®800 utilizes our proven quad-laser technology with an extended z-axis for larger production builds. Vertically extending the build envelope reduces exposure per layer and yields higher part quality, in particular, to flatness and reduced internal material stress. Vertical orientations also need less supports reducing material usage and post-processing.

Permanent Filter Improves Uptime and Reduces Costs

The permanent filter module traps process soot in a sintered plate filter that is purged with gas. The waste material is coated with an inhibitor and stored in a bin for dry disposal, while clean gas returns to the process chamber, stabilizing gas flow to ensure part quality throughout long builds without interruption. The elimination of consumable filter cartridges increases safety while improving machine uptime and reducing costs. Operators no longer need to flood filters and waste management is simplified as controlled diffusion renders a standard dry material for disposal.

Automatic Powder Handling

Each Nikon SLM®800 features an integrated powder tank to supply the machine with a direct source of material. The additional central powder supply unit (CPS) features two 220l tanks, one fixed for delivery to the machine and one portable for powder refill. Sieves are located both in between the two CPS tanks and on the machine directly before use to ensure powder quality throughout the process. This leads to an increased machine uptime, high safety and material quality.

Automated Build Cylinder Handling

The Nikon SLM®HUB utilizes a linear axis to drive build cylinders internally between four integrated stations and directly into or out of the Nikon SLM®800 machine. The four stations allows an automated de-packing of the part out of the cylinder under an inert gas atmosphere to maintain powder quality. All recovered powder is returned to the powder supply where it will be used in the next build.

• Pulling Station – Full cylinders are pulled from the machine and transported to the depowder station.
• Depowder Station – Build cylinders are turned over to pour out loose powder. Once loose powder is removed the cylinder is vibrated to remove and powder that might be trapped within the part.
• Merge Station – Operators can insert blank build plates into the HUB, or remove powder free parts ready for post processing.
• Parking Station – Build plates are heated up and full build cylinders are cooled down

Patented Gas Flow

Nikon SLM Solutions patented laminar gas flow ensures a maximum removal of condensate in the build chamber. A clean, soot-free build chamber means the laser has a clear path to the powder bed resulting in high-quality parts the total height of the build.

Main Fitting of a Bizjet from Safran

In a joint project, Safran Landing Systems and SLM Solutions tested Selective Laser Melting to produce a component of a nose landing gear for a bizjet. A world first for a part of this size. The objective of the project is to demonstrate the feasibility to produce a main fitting by Selective Laser Melting process. The component was therefore redesigned for metal-based additive manufacturing allowing time saving in the whole process, and significant weight reduction about 15% of the component.

• Machine: SLM®800
• Material: Titanium

Fuel Tank - VIBA Honda® Monkey

• Machine: SLM®800
• Material: AlSi10Mg

This 3D printed motor bike fuel tank is an especially innovative component, as it was 3D printed in a single piece and demonstrates the advantages of working with additive manufacturing instead of more traditional processes. The part, which weighs only 3.3 kg, was 3D printed using the SLM®800 and integrates an internal honeycomb structure that stops fuel from sloshing while the motorbike is in motion.

Cross-Jet Unit – Fronius

• Machine: SLM®280
• Material: AlSi10Mg
• Layer Thickness: 60µm
• Build Time: 20h (Maximized Build Chamber, 10 Units),

The heart of the welding process is the hybrid welding head with both an integrated GMA welding torch and laser optics. Fronius uses a cross-jet unit to protect the laser optics from contamination during the welding process. Using SLM® technology the company combined 18 individual components into one and increased flow performance while reducing weight and costs.

Nikon SLM® 800 Accessories

Nikon SLM® HUB

The Nikon SLM®800 reaches peak performance when paired with the Nikon SLM®HUB, a fully-automated handling station. This integrated solution features automated transport of build cylinders with dedicated locations for pre-heating and cooling in an inert atmosphere. The Nikon SLM®HUB also removes manual powder handling from the production process with a centralized powder supply and a powder removal chamber that rotates and vibrates the finished substrate plate to automatically separate unused powder from the finished part, recycling it back to the sieving station for reuse in future builds. All machines connected to the Nikon SLM®HUB are fed metal powder through vacuum technology from the central powder station creating a completely closed-loop powder management system under an inert gas atmosphere.

Up to five Nikon SLM®800 systems can be modularly connected to and operated from a single Nikon SLM®HUB. With a build cylinder magazine (BCM) multiple build cylinders can be handled in parallel to optimize machine uptime and scale to full production.

Recoater Brush

Provides a consistent powder bed over thousands of layers and beneficial for efficient job changeover. Brush durability ensures stable recoating while enabling error correction during the build.

• Haynes 25 or IN718, tested and approved for use with any material
• Testing shows brush stability at over 100,000 layers
• In the event of a collision with an extrusion up to 3mm from the powder bed, the bristles bend and do not break.
• Allows for correction of a build defect without damage to either recoater or part

Recoater Cleaning Station

Developed to simplify cleaning, maintenance and installation work on the Nikon SLM®Recoater.

• Stable mount for maintenance
• Safe handling
• Station features 360° rotation for full maintenance access
• Drip tray included for easy residual powder collection
• Safe storage of recoating mechanisms
• Station Dimensions: 730mm x 310mm x 250mm

Melt Pool Monitoring (MPM)

Tool for visualizing thermal emission of the melt pool in the Nikon SLM® process. The system records the thermal radiation produced from the melt during the entire production process.

• Sequential output of thermal emission plot images of individual layers.

• Detect irregularities and defects in parts.

• Log and document build jobs in MPM-Files

Laser Power Monitoring (LPM)

Permanent on-axis laser power monitoring system that measures and illustrates nominal and actual power during the ongoing manufacturing process.

• Active warnings, highlighting spots with critical laser powder deviation.

• Documentation of the laser power for each scan vector over the entire build job.

Layer Preparation Tool

Tool to level recoater height and adjust overlap area. Enables reproducible adjustments to the recoating lip height, independent from operator, within 1 μm. Resulting in recoating and the laser exposure level consistency for each build job.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS