ExafuseMetal additive manufacturing
Decision tools

Screen the route, base estimate, material direction, repair case and RFQ package before a technical review.

Tools

Start with the decision tool that matches your question.

Use these tools to turn a broad metal AM question into a process route, early cost estimate, material direction, repair-economics check or structured request package.

LMD process monitoring and melt-pool signal view

Recommended order

Start with the pathfinder when the route is unclear.

If you already know the question, jump directly into the relevant tool. Each tool ends with the most relevant page or feasibility request.

1Find the right technical path
2Check LMD, SLM or material fit
3Estimate price, time or repair ROI
4Build an RFQ package or request technical review
Start here Exafuse pathfinder

Answer five practical questions and receive relevant services, articles, case studies, FAQs and tools.

Useful when the route is unclear. Process decision LMD or SLM decider

Check whether scale, repair, local build-up or fine powder-bed detail is likely to drive the process choice.

Useful before cost estimation. Cost and timing check Cost estimator

Estimate basic cost drivers, route, deposition mass and machine time for LMD, SLM, repair or cladding requests.

Useful before ROI comparison. Material direction Material selector

Start the material-family discussion from wear, corrosion, heat, sliding duty or an unknown failure mode.

Useful when alloy direction is unclear. Repair economics Repair ROI calculator

Compare repair against replacement cost, downtime and lead-time assumptions after a rough repair estimate exists.

Best for maintenance and plant teams. Request package RFQ package builder

Create a structured email draft with contact details, part context, available files, deadline and technical goal.

Best when the request package is ready.

Direct review

The tools are screening aids, not quotation engines.

For real feasibility and pricing, Exafuse still needs part data, material context, acceptance criteria and a technical review. Small quick first-part setup may be waived after review.

Start feasibility request Review services first

Free tools

Screen first, then decide what you want to share.

The tools are meant to reduce uncertainty before a call or request is needed.

Free to use

All calculators and decision aids are open. There is no account, paywall or requirement to enter a company name.

No data stored by Exafuse

Inputs stay in your browser while you use the page. Exafuse receives them only if you send the information yourself by email or direct message.

No company name or email required for screening

The pathfinder, process decider, estimator, ROI and material selector work without your name, company or email address.

NDA-friendly

Start with non-confidential facts. Sensitive drawings, customer names or process details can follow after NDA alignment.

Readable guides

Static tool logic for search, teams and AI retrieval.

Each interactive tool now has a readable companion page so its screening logic is indexable even when the UI is not being used.

Pathfinder decision visual for routing buyers between LMD, SLM, repair, cladding and RFQ preparation

A43

How the Exafuse Pathfinder Routes Industrial Buyers by Role, Goal, Readiness and Available Data

The Exafuse pathfinder is a routing tool, not a ranking engine. It sorts users by role, goal, readiness, part situation and available data so the next step becomes a relevant service page, article cluster, estimator, RFQ builder or direct contact path.

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LMD versus SLM comparison visual for process-selection guidance

A44

How the LMD vs SLM Decider Works

The LMD vs SLM decider screens geometry, job type, mass, detail level and commercial pressure to show which route deserves technical review first. It is meant to frame the process question before a buyer sends a manufacturing RFQ.

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Industrial metal component prepared for repair or rebuild

A45

Example: Choosing LMD for a Large Repair Component

A large repair component often points toward LMD, not SLM, when the problem is local geometry recovery on an existing part and the route accepts machining, inspection and documentation after buildup.

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Powder-bed fusion visual for SLM comparison

A46

Example: Why SLM Fits Compact Internal-Channel Geometry

SLM / LPBF usually becomes the stronger candidate when the value sits in compact geometry, internal channels and fine integrated detail that LMD would recreate inefficiently or not at all.

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Estimator visual for early LMD, repair and cladding cost-screening assumptions

A47

How the Exafuse Estimator Screens Job, Process, Material Family, Quantity, Geometry and Mass Assumptions

The Exafuse estimator is an early commercial screen. It compares job type, process preference, material family, quantity, geometry and deposited-mass assumptions to frame a cost range before a real technical review.

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Industrial metal component prepared for repair or rebuild

A48

Repair ROI Formula for LMD Repair

The repair ROI screen compares replacement path cost with repair path cost by combining replacement price, downtime, repair estimate, repair extras, lead-time difference and an uncertainty buffer for the repair route.

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Laser cladding surface protection component

A49

Material Selector Logic for Wear, Corrosion, Oxidation, and Heat

The material selector does not guess a final alloy grade. It starts from failure mode, substrate, environment, temperature, finish and inspection needs so the alloy-family discussion begins on functional ground.

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RFQ and procurement package visual for LMD repair and laser cladding requests

A50

RFQ Checklist for Laser Cladding and LMD Repair

A useful RFQ for laser cladding or LMD repair should define the part, the damaged or target zone, the base material, the service problem, the finish route, the timing and the inspection or documentation needed for release.

Open companion page

Recommended next steps

Pick the next page by what you need to decide.

Jump to the closest service, proof story, technical article, FAQ or request route without scanning the whole site.