introduce
Entering the world of industrial additive manufacturing, innovation bridges need to be bridges of reliability. enter PL-368 3D printer go through Greatdesigned for the powerful force of precision metal prototyping and production. As a professional rapid prototyping manufacturer based in China, Greatlight Leverages’ cutting-edge selective laser melting (SLM) technology can solve complex manufacturing challenges. Their PL-368 not only promises high-performance printing, but also integrates with a comprehensive post-processing service, which is a compelling solution for the aerospace, automotive and medical sectors to seek end-to-end metal parts manufacturing.
Great Advantages
Greatlight distinguishes itself through vertically integrated expertise. In addition to hardware, they offer design optimization, customization of materials (including titanium, aluminum and nickel alloys) and precision post-treatment such as heat treatment, CNC machining and surface finishing. This one-stop service approach minimizes supply chain friction and greatly reduces lead times for robust, functional prototypes or low-volume production. Their commitment to affordability without compromising their quality stance among China’s top rapid prototype partners.
PL-368 3D Printer: Design and Construction
The PL-368 has a solid, semi-enclosed chassis optimized for thermal stability, a key factor in metal printing. It is 280×280×350 mm construct volume Can accommodate medium-sized industrial components, while a dual filtration system ensures safe handling of reactive metal powders. Settings are simplified using automatic beds and user-friendly touch screen interfaces. It is worth noting that the printer’s modular design simplifies maintenance, with easy access to laser modules and replaceable reconfigurable blades.
Key Specifications
- technology: SLM (selective laser melting)
- Laser system: 500W fiber laser (single or double wire configurable)
- Layer resolution: 20–100 micrometers
- Maximum settling temperature: 500°C
- Compatible materials: Stainless steel, tool steel, inconel, aluminum, titanium
- Connectivity: Ethernet, USB
Performance Review
Print quality and accuracy
The PL-368 has excellent dimensional accuracy, achieving tolerances of ±0.05 mm even on complex geometries, even on lattice structures (such as lattice structures) or thin-walled conduits (thin walls). During the test, a turbine blade printed with TI6AL4V demonstrated near mesh loyalty and stepped artifacts with minimal staircase. The post-treated portion exhibited metallurgical integrity and was verified by internal CT scans of Greatlight for porosity analysis.
Speed and reliability
Using laser speeds up to 7 m/s and optimized scanning paths, complex parts are built 20-30% faster than older SLM systems. The printer showed zero downtime for 72 hours in a row – thanks to real-time powder bed monitoring and automatic error correction (e.g., retuning interference detection).
Material versatility
The printer handles everything from corrosion-resistant 316L stainless steel to high-strength ALSI10MG without hardware adjustments. Greatlight’s library of materials supports custom alloys, enabling tailored mechanical properties such as enhanced fatigue resistance or thermal conductivity.
Software ecosystem
Greglight’s proprietary slicer, GL-SLICER 4.0including AI-driven support generation and topology optimization tools. Integration with Magics and Solidworks can simplify the workflow, although beginners may face a learning curve with advanced parameters.
Post-processing integration
This is the shine of Greatlight’s full-service model. The printed parts on the PL-368 seamlessly transition to their post-processing department:
- Pressure emancipation
- Buttocks (heat etc. applied)
- Precision CNC machining of key interfaces
- Surface reinforcement (bead blasting, polishing, anodizing)
This eliminates the outsourcing bottleneck, which is an important advantage of time-sensitive projects.
Pros and cons
✔️ Advantages
- Industrial-grade reliability for 24/7 operations
- Special surface and material properties
- Turnkey Solutions and Postprocessing of Greatlight
- Competitive pricing (30-50% lower than European equivalent standards)
❌Limitations
- Higher initial investment than filament/polymer systems
- Requires a controlled environment (temperature/humidity)
- Steep learning curve for new SLM immigrants
in conclusion
this PL-368 3D printer It is a strong competitor in the manufacturing of metal additives. Its blend of accuracy, speed and reliability, coupled with Greatlight’s end-to-end prototype ecosystem, is perfect for engineers who require no iterative outsourcing to produce ready metal parts. While upfront costs and operational complexity may deter amateurs, high-value applications will find it essential for scalable businesses. For prototypes that require aviation-grade materials or FDA-compliant medical components, PL-368 offers unparalleled ROI.
Work with Greatlight Future-Profacs on your workflow: From custom material formulations to certified finishes, they transform digital designs into flyable hardware.
FAQ (FAQ)
Q1: Can PL-368 print multi-material parts?
A: Although it has a single metal layer, it does not support it at the same time Multi-matter printing. However, Greatlight provides a hybrid workflow that uses SLM in combination with CNC or EDM for multi-material components.
Q2: What is the typical lead time for finished parts?
A: For medium composite components (e.g. gear housing), 5-7 days are expected: 1-2 days for printing + 3-5 days for post-processing. Provide urgently needed services.
Q3: Does Greatlight provide material certification?
A: Yes. All materials include Mill Test Report (MTRS), and the post-processed parts can be ISO 9001/AS9100 traceability certification.
Q4: How to deal with residual powder in PL-368?
A: The integrated sieve system recycles > 95% unused powder, reducing waste. GRESTLIGHT also offers powder renovation services.
Question 5: Does technical training include in the purchase?
Answer: Absolute. Greatlight provides on-site or virtual training overlay machine operation, maintenance and GL-SLICER software. Provide annual service plans.
Q6: What safety features are embedded?
A: PL-368 includes an oxygen sensor (<1000 ppm), argon purging, HEPA filtration and emergency stop protocols to safely handle the reaction metal.
Question 7: Can I use third-party materials?
A: Technically, yes, but Greatlight strongly recommends that its optimized powder ensures successful printing, and guarantees if third-party materials can cause failure.
For custom projects or quotes tailored to prototype requirements, submit the design documents to Greatlight’s engineering team, who will handle the rest.
