SLM 280 2.0

The SLM 280 2.0 is an SLM 3D printer from Nikon SLM Solutions with a 280 x 280 x 365 mm build volume.

Specifications

SLM 280 2.0: Technical Specifications

Laser System

Available in four configurations: single 400 W, single 700 W, dual (700 W + 1000 W), and twin (2 × 400 W or 2 × 700 W). Patented multi-beam technology allows each laser to scan the full build field simultaneously: no zone splitting, no stitching artefacts in twin mode.

Build Volume and Platform

Build envelope: 280 × 280 × 365 mm. Standard steel or nickel alloy build plate; optional preheating up to ~200 °C reduces residual stress in nickel superalloys.

Layer Thickness

20 to 90 µm with variable layer capability: enabling coarse-core / fine-surface strategies within a single build.

Speed and Throughput.

Calibration

Calibration Procedure

Build Plate Levelling

Before each job, verify build-plate parallelism to the recoater using a 9-point dial indicator. Tolerance: ±50 µm. Deviations >100 µm will cause uneven first layers and potential recoater crashes.

Laser Optical Calibration

Measure spot diameter and power of each beam with an Ophir or Gentec beam profiler. In twin mode both beams must have identical profiles: >10% power mismatch generates visible stitching anomalies at the overlap line.

Common defects

Typical Defects and Remedies

Porosity (Keyhole / LoF)

Cause: incorrect volumetric energy density. Keyhole at high power + low speed; lack-of-fusion at low power. Fix: run VED DOE (P/v·h·t).

Hot Cracking

Cause: high thermal gradient in wide-solidification-range alloys. Fix: preheat the build plate; apply rotated scan strategies per layer.

Recoater Streaks

Cause: warped or lifted part hitting the recoater blade. Fix: add supports under overhangs; keep overhang angles <45°.

What it is used for

Use Cases

Aerospace Structural Components

Twin 2 × 700 W doubles throughput versus single-laser: critical for serial production of Ti-6Al-4V brackets, lattice structures, and monolithic turbine segments in the 280 mm envelope.

Medical Implants.