GF Machining Solutions Metal Additive Manufacturing

GF DMP Factory 500

$1,500,000 - $2,500,000 Updated 2025-03-15

Key Specifications

Repeatability

Δx (3σ) = 75um, Δy (3σ) = 75um, Δz (3σ) = 75um

build volume

500 x 500 x 500 mm (19.7 x 19.7 x 19.7 in), height inclusive of build plate

laser type

3 x 500 W / Fiber laser

laser power

3x 500 W (full-field access)

layer thickness

Adjustable, min 2 um, max 200 um; typical 60 um

minimum feature size

300 μm

Overview

The GF DMP Factory 500 is the flagship large-format metal 3D printer from the GF Machining Solutions and 3D Systems partnership, positioned as a production-scale system for the largest and most demanding metal additive manufacturing applications. With a 500 x 500 x 500 mm (19.7 x 19.7 x 19.7 in) build envelope -- height inclusive of build plate -- it delivers the largest build volume in the DMP lineup, targeting aerospace structural components, large turbine parts, automotive tooling, and motorsport components that don't fit in mid-format systems.

Three 500 W fiber lasers at 1070 nm wavelength provide the throughput muscle. All three lasers access the full build area simultaneously, eliminating the zone boundary artifacts and stitching seams that degrade part quality on restricted multilaser systems. On a 500 x 500 mm build plate, full-field trilaser coverage is especially important because you're nesting more parts and building larger individual components -- any zone restriction would significantly limit build strategy flexibility.

Layer thickness ranges from a minimum of 2 um to a maximum of 200 um, with 60 um as the typical production setting. The 2 um minimum is extraordinary -- it's the finest layer capability in any production LPBF system and enables surface quality and feature resolution approaching micro-manufacturing. Minimum feature size is 300 um. Accuracy holds at plus or minus 0.1-0.2% with 100 um minimum, and repeatability is 75 um (3 sigma) in X, Y, and Z -- slightly wider than the 350 platform's 60 um, reflecting the challenges of maintaining precision across the larger build volume.

The DMP Factory 500 uses a modular architecture with a removable print module that can be decoupled from the printer for unpacking and setup while the printer continues building the next job. This module-swap workflow is critical for production throughput -- you're not tying up an expensive trilaser printer for depowdering and part removal. The system includes dedicated depowdering and powder recycling modules that handle unused powder recovery under inert atmosphere.

Qualified materials include LaserForm Ni718 (Inconel 718), LaserForm Ti Gr23 (titanium), and LaserForm AlSi10Mg (aluminum), with additional materials available upon request. The soft blade recoater system maintains consistent powder layers across the large build area.

The printer module measures 3,010 x 2,350 x 3,160 mm and weighs 8,232 kg (excluding the removable print module). The 3DXpert software handles build simulation and process optimization. New DMP Factory 500 systems typically price between $1,500,000 and $2,500,000 depending on configuration and ancillary modules. Specs sourced from GF Machining Solutions / 3D Systems published technical data.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Build Volume	500 x 500 x 500 mm (19.7 x 19.7 x 19.7 in), height inclusive of build plate
Laser Type	3 x 500 W / Fiber laser
Laser Power	3x 500 W (full-field access)
Layer Thickness	Adjustable, min 2 um, max 200 um; typical 60 um
Minimum Feature Size	300 μm
Accuracy	± 0.1-0.2% with ± 100 μm minimum
Repeatability	Δx (3σ) = 75um, Δy (3σ) = 75um, Δz (3σ) = 75um
Recoater	Soft blade recoater
Print Module	Removable/swappable print module for continuous production
Materials	Inconel 718, Ti Gr23, AlSi10Mg (additional materials on request)
Software	3DXpert
Printer Module Dimensions	3,010 x 2,350 x 3,160 mm
Printer Module Weight	8232 kg (excluding RPM)
Printer Module Uncrated	3010 x 2350 x 3160 mm
Depowdering Module Uncrated	3000 x 2530 x 3300 mm
Powder Recycling Module Uncrated	1935 x 2262 x 2521 mm
Removable Print Module	1120 x 850 x 1400 mm
Parking Module	1450 x 1780 x 1850 mm
Laser Wavelength	1070 nm
Layer Thickness Range Preset	Adjustable, min. 2 μm, max.200 μm, typ. 60 μm
Build Envelope	500 x 500 x 500 mm (height inclusive of build plate)
Material Deposition	Soft blade recoater

Specifications sourced from gfms.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

500 x 500 x 500 mm build volume is among the largest available in LPBF, enabling parts and nesting arrangements that mid-format systems simply cannot accommodate
Three 500 W lasers with full-field access across the entire build plate -- no zone restrictions, no stitching artifacts, maximum build strategy flexibility
Removable print module enables continuous production by decoupling depowdering and setup from the printer, dramatically improving machine utilization
2 um minimum layer thickness is the finest available in any production LPBF system, enabling micro-manufacturing levels of surface quality and feature resolution
Modular system architecture with separate depowdering and powder recycling modules enables scalable production cell configurations
Designed ground-up for production with automated powder handling under inert atmosphere, critical for reactive materials like titanium at this build scale

Limitations

Price tag of $1.5M to $2.5M before ancillary modules makes this one of the most expensive LPBF investments -- requires sustained high-value production to justify
Massive physical footprint when you include printer, depowdering station, and powder recycling modules -- requires dedicated facility space planning
Currently qualified for a narrower material range (Ni718, Ti Gr23, AlSi10Mg) than the 350 platform, with additional materials requiring custom development
75 um repeatability is wider than the 350 platform's 60 um, a trade-off for the larger build volume that may matter for the most precision-critical applications
Very small global install base means limited peer experience, fewer published case studies, and dependence on GF/3D Systems for application support
8,232 kg printer module weight plus ancillary equipment demands significant facility infrastructure and foundation preparation

Best For

Aerospace OEMs and tier-one suppliers producing large structural components, engine brackets, and airframe parts in titanium and Inconel that exceed mid-format build volumes Space and rocket propulsion companies building large combustion chambers, nozzles, and thrust chamber assemblies that require the 500 mm build cube Automotive and motorsport operations producing large-format tooling, fixtures, and performance components where build volume is the limiting factor on current systems Defense contractors manufacturing large-format metal AM components for vehicle, aircraft, and weapons system applications requiring production-scale throughput Energy sector companies producing turbine blades, heat exchangers, and combustor components in nickel superalloys at production volumes Large contract AM bureaus dedicating a platform to high-value large-format production that justifies the capital investment through sustained utilization

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a new GF DMP Factory 500 cost?

New DMP Factory 500 systems typically run $1,500,000 to $2,500,000 depending on configuration and included ancillary modules. The base printer module with three lasers falls at the lower end. Adding depowdering stations, powder recycling modules, additional print modules for continuous production, and full software suites pushes toward the upper range. This is a capital commitment comparable to a high-end 5-axis machining center or production CMM.

02 How does the removable print module improve productivity?

In a conventional LPBF system, the printer sits idle during depowdering, part removal, build plate changeover, and setup for the next build -- this downtime can represent 30-50% of total machine time. The DMP Factory 500's removable print module can be decoupled from the printer and moved to a separate depowdering station while the printer immediately starts the next build with a fresh module. This workflow can nearly double effective machine utilization in production environments.

03 How does the DMP Factory 500 compare to the SLM Solutions NXG XII 600?

The NXG XII 600 is the other flagship large-format LPBF system, offering 12 lasers and a 600 x 600 x 600 mm build volume -- significantly more laser power and build volume than the DMP Factory 500's three lasers and 500 mm cube. However, the NXG XII 600 costs substantially more and has an even smaller install base. The DMP Factory 500 offers the removable print module workflow and the 3D Systems/GF material development partnership. Choice depends on required volume, throughput targets, and budget.

04 What materials can the DMP Factory 500 process?

Currently qualified materials include LaserForm Ni718 (Inconel 718) for aerospace engine and turbine components, LaserForm Ti Gr23 for structural aerospace and medical applications, and LaserForm AlSi10Mg for lightweight structural parts. Additional materials are available upon request through the GF/3D Systems application engineering team. The material portfolio is narrower than the 350 platform currently, reflecting the early production maturity of this large-format system.

05 What build rate can I expect from the DMP Factory 500?

With three 500 W lasers operating simultaneously at typical 60 um layer thickness, the DMP Factory 500 achieves build rates significantly higher than single-laser systems -- typically 30-80 cm3/hr depending on material, geometry, and parameter set. Actual throughput varies based on part complexity, support structures, and quality requirements. The larger build volume also enables nesting more parts per build, improving effective throughput for smaller component production.

06 Does the DMP Factory 500 require special facility preparation?

Yes. The printer module alone weighs over 8,200 kg, and the complete production cell with depowdering and powder recycling modules requires significant floor space and load-bearing capacity. You'll need inert gas supply (argon or nitrogen), adequate ventilation, ESD-safe flooring, and appropriate safety provisions for metal powder handling. GF/3D Systems provides detailed facility requirements during the pre-installation process, and most installations require dedicated facility engineering.