Selective Laser Melting Technology
How SLM delivers unmatched precision, strength, and repeatability for dental metal restorations.
What is Selective Laser Melting?
Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is a powder bed fusion additive manufacturing process that uses a high-powered laser beam to fully melt and fuse metallic powders layer by layer, creating fully dense, near-net-shape parts with mechanical properties equivalent to wrought materials.
Unlike casting or subtractive machining, SLM builds parts from the ground up with no material waste, no tooling requirements, and complete geometric freedom — making it ideal for the complex anatomical geometries inherent in dental restorations.
Our Space Ti series machines use SLM to process medical-grade titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) and cobalt-chrome (CoCrMo) alloys — the gold-standard materials for dental implant components, partial frameworks, crowns, and bridges.
The SLM printing process
CAD Design
Design or scan the dental restoration in CAD software and export as STL format.
Nesting & Slicing
Arrange parts in the build volume, add supports, and slice into layers (20–60 µm).
Powder Spreading
A recoater blade deposits a thin layer of metallic powder across the build platform.
Laser Melting
A high-powered fiber laser selectively melts the powder according to the cross-section pattern.
Annealing
Parts undergo stress-relief heat treatment in the Space Ti-200 furnace for optimal mechanical properties.
Finishing
Support removal, plasma polishing, and final quality inspection before delivery.
Why SLM for dental applications
High Density & Strength
SLM produces >99.5% dense parts with mechanical properties matching or exceeding cast equivalents.
Complex Geometries
Build intricate mesh structures, undercuts, and patient-specific anatomical shapes impossible with traditional methods.
Material Efficiency
Unfused powder is recycled for future builds — near-zero material waste compared to subtractive machining.
Fast Production
Multiple restorations printed in a single build — dramatically reducing per-unit production time versus casting.
Dimensional Accuracy
Layer-by-layer precision of ±0.05 mm — ensuring excellent marginal fit and passive seating for dental restorations.
Digital Workflow
Fully traceable digital manufacturing chain from scan to part — integrates seamlessly with modern dental CAD/CAM software.
Space Ti® — TC4 Titanium Alloy
Space Ti® is our registered trademark for TC4 (Ti-6Al-4V) alloy — composed of 90% titanium. Originally used in aerospace and biomedical industries, it is now brought to dentistry through the Space Ti Tech platform, combining aerospace-grade strength with exceptional biocompatibility.
Why Space Ti® outperforms the alternatives
★ Best in category · Space Ti® (TC4) delivers ~500 MPa higher yield strength over pure titanium and half the weight of cobalt-chrome.
The Space Ti Tech Ecosystem
More than just a material — a comprehensive, vertically integrated solution designed to empower dental professionals with next-generation tools.
IdentAlloy®-Certified TC4 Powder
Ti-6Al-4V for dental applications, with the alloy certificate supplied for every batch. Material data →
High-Precision Metal 3D Printers
Optimized specifically for Space Ti® — superior accuracy, repeatability, and efficiency.
Vacuum Tube Furnace
Precise thermal annealing — enhancing strength, stability, and mechanical integrity of printed parts.
Plasma Polishing Technology
Refined, smooth finish improving both aesthetics and usability of dental products.
Proprietary Software Suite
Intuitive design and layout tools streamlining the entire workflow from digital model to final restoration.
Custom Recipes & Full Support
In-house developed processing protocols — plus full integration training and ongoing technical support.
Ionization Coloring Technique
Titanium alloy changes color through the formation of a nano-scale oxide layer on its surface. The thickness of this layer causes light interference, producing vivid, stable colors — without any dyes, pigments, or coatings.
Unlike traditional surface treatments, HiZir's ionization technique is chemically stable, wear-resistant, non-toxic, and will never peel or fade — making it ideal for medical, aerospace, and custom decorative applications.
- Multiple colors available on request
- No dyes, pigments, or chemical coatings
- Chemically stable & non-toxic
- Wear-resistant — will not peel or fade
- Suitable for biomedical applications
See SLM technology in action
Contact our team to schedule a live demonstration of the Space Ti-160 at your facility or ours.