LMD / DED-LB/M
For large parts and local material addition
Use it when part scale, local build-up, repair, cladding or near-net-shape geometry creates the value.
Service / Metal AM
Manufacture metal parts with LMD scale, SLM detail or a hybrid additive route.
Use this route for new-build parts, prototypes, hard-to-machine alloys, compact SLM geometries, large LMD builds and projects where finishing and inspection must be planned from the start.
From CAD to manufacture
A reliable manufacturing plan connects process selection, material, finishing and inspection.
Technical review starts with the component requirements. Process, material, finishing, inspection and quotation scope are then aligned.
Duisburg bridge project
Large LMD bridge components from CAD model to manufacture and inspection.
The public project connects CAD adaptation, path planning, manufacture, monitoring, validation support and final inspection for large LMD components.
750 kg+ LMD components
Structural nodes, handrails, CAD adaptation, path planning, monitoring and validation in a public large-LMD project.
The case study is relevant to large metal AM parts, robotic LMD, long builds and project-specific inspection planning.
130 mm drill project
LMD part build-up and local functional coating in one process chain.
The drill used LMD for both the base geometry and the functional coating. Geometry, coating, finishing and inspection are therefore assessed together.
Build and coat
LMD part build-up and local functional coating in one process chain.
- build the part geometry with LMD
- apply the functional coating locally
- plan finishing and acceptance for the specific part
Multi-material nozzle project
750 mm water-cooled nozzle with two Ni-based material zones.
The project demonstrates material zoning, thin-wall LMD planning and a long continuous build. Transfer to other geometries requires a separate review.
Material zoning
750 mm water-cooled nozzle with two Ni-based material zones.
- Use Inconel 625 and Inconel 718 in defined zones
- Plan thin walls, cooling ribs and heat input together
- Evaluate long builds through process stability
Technical guides
Technical guidance for this service.
These guides cover process choice, component data, finishing and inspection before a technical enquiry.
Article
Large Structural LMD for Bridge Components: Lessons from the Duisburg Bridge Project
The Duisburg bridge project documents large structural LMD in a public infrastructure context, including component scale, manufacturing effort and the limits of what the published data can...
Metal AM routeQualificationDfAM and OEM
Article
What Is Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) and When Should Industrial Buyers Use It?
Laser Metal Deposition is most relevant for large parts, local material addition, repair and laser cladding.
Metal AM route
Article
LMD vs SLM (PBF): A Practical Process-Selection Matrix for Industrial Metal Parts
LMD and SLM/LPBF solve different manufacturing problems. LMD is usually considered for local buildup, repair, laser cladding and large geometry;
Metal AM routeQualification
Article
How to Evaluate LMD Build-and-Coat Workflows: Geometry, Surface Function, and Validation
An LMD build-and-coat workflow is worth evaluating when a metal part needs both geometry creation and a functional surface layer. The route should be reviewed as one manufacturing chain:
Wear and corrosionMetal AM route
Article
LMD for Large Metal Parts: Bead Width, Deposition Efficiency, and Productivity
Large-part LMD is not just a scaled-up version of a small coupon build. For large components, productivity and quality depend on the interaction between bead width, overlap strategy, heat...
Metal AM route
Article
Functionally Graded Materials with DED/LMD: When a Gradient Outperforms a Single Alloy
Functionally graded materials use a controlled transition between material compositions instead of one abrupt interface.
DfAM and OEMQualification
Article
Design for Additive Manufacturing with LMD: Geometry Rules that Reduce Machining and Risk
Design for Additive Manufacturing with LMD should focus on reliable near-net deposition, manageable heat input, and accessible finishing, not on powder-bed-style fine detail.
DfAM and OEM
Article
Hybrid Manufacturing: Combining LMD and CNC Machining to Hit Tolerances on Large Parts
Hybrid manufacturing with LMD and CNC is often the practical route for large industrial parts. LMD adds material where it creates value.
Metal AM routeDfAM and OEM
Article
LMD for Hard-to-Machine Alloys: When Additive Beats Subtractive for Large Components
LMD becomes attractive for hard-to-machine alloys when the part is large, the raw material is expensive, and only selected geometry needs to be added or rebuilt.
Metal AM routeWear and corrosion
Article
From Metal Powder to Functional Drill in 24 Hours: What Rapid LMD Prototyping Can Prove
Exafuse has publicly shown a rapid LMD project example: a functional drill, described publicly as a "Bombenbohrer," produced from metal powder with an antimagnetic coating in under 24 hours.
Wear and corrosionMetal AM routeQualification
Article
750 mm Water-Cooled Nozzle by Multi-Material LMD: What Thin-Wall Nickel-Alloy Builds Prove
Exafuse has publicly shown a complex 750 mm water-cooled nozzle design manufactured by Laser Metal Deposition with two Ni-based alloys:
Wear and corrosionMetal AM routeQualification
Projects and common questions
Project examples and concise answers.
Compare relevant projects, machine limits and answers before requesting a technical review.
Public infrastructure project
Duisburg Bridge Components: More Than 750 kg Produced with LMD
Exafuse produced more than 750 kg of LMD components for a pedestrian bridge project in Duisburg, including six structural nodes and handrail elements.
Metal AM routeQualification
Published industrial project
130 mm Drill: LMD Build-Up and Functional Coating
A 130 mm drill demonstrator showing how LMD can combine part build-up with a wear-resistant, antimagnetic functional coating in one planned manufacturing chain.
Wear and corrosionMetal AM routeQualification
Internal demonstrator
750 mm Multi-Material LMD Nozzle Demonstrator Case
A published Exafuse case on thin-wall LMD, material zoning and long-build process planning using a 750 mm water-cooled nozzle demonstrator with Inconel 625 and Inconel 718.
Metal AM routeDfAM and OEMQualification
Application guide
DfAM Bridge Node Manufacturability Review for LMD
How bridge-node geometry illustrates why metal AM projects need DfAM, manufacturability review, wall strategy, finishing and validation planning before production.
DfAM and OEMMetal AM routeQualification
Internal demonstrator
Functionally Graded LMD Pipe Demonstrator
A publication-ready case on functionally graded LMD thinking: material zones, controlled transition, interface risk and validation boundaries for a pipe or tubular demonstrator.
DfAM and OEMMetal AM routeQualification
FAQ
Laser Metal Deposition (LMD): applications, limits and project inputs
Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) is a laser-based form of Directed Energy Deposition (DED / DED-LB/M) used to manufacture, modify, repair, or coat metal parts by feeding powder into a...
Repair vs replaceMetal AM routeQualification
FAQ
LMD or SLM/LPBF: choosing the process by part function
LMD and SLM solve different industrial problems. LMD/DED is typically stronger for large parts, repair, local feature addition, and bead-based near-net-shape builds, while SLM/LPBF is...
Repair vs replaceMetal AM routeQualification
FAQ
Design for LMD: geometry, machining and inspection access
DfAM for LMD should be treated as design for a bead-based, near-net-shape process, not as design for a powder-bed process.
Repair vs replaceMetal AM routeDfAM and OEM
Manufacturing RFQ
Send CAD, material, size and target finish.
Exafuse can review whether LMD, SLM or a hybrid route is the practical process path. Final pricing and feasibility depend on technical review.