SLM Solutions Metal Additive Manufacturing

SLM Solutions SLM 125

Est. $350,000 - $500,000 Specs verified 2026-09-24 · nikon-slm-solutions.com Updated 2026-10-03

Key Specifications

build envelope

125 x 125 x 125 mm (4.9 x 4.9 x 4.9 in), reduced by substrate plate thickness

build volume reduction

50 x 50 x 50 mm (2.0 x 2.0 x 2.0 in), reduced by substrate plate thickness

laser configuration

Single, 1 x 400 W

theoretical build rate

up to 33 cm³/h (theoretical: layer thickness x scan speed x hatch distance x number of lasers)

variable layer thickness

20 – 75 µm (more on request)

minimum feature size

140 µm

How much does the SLM Solutions SLM 125 cost?

Estimated price range

Est.$350,000 - $500,000

Our best estimate for a metal additive manufacturing in this class — not a quote from SLM Solutions. Configuration moves it a long way.

Overview

The SLM 125 is a small-format laser metal additive machine: a single 400 W laser working over a 125 x 125 x 125 mm (4.9 x 4.9 x 4.9 in) build envelope, in a cabinet that measures 1,400 x 900 x 2,460 mm (55.1 x 35.4 x 96.9 in). SLM Solutions gives a theoretical build rate of up to 33 cm³/h. Those figures point to development work, material trials and small parts, not to volume production.

The envelope is quoted before the substrate plate, and the table says so: usable height is the 125 mm less the thickness of the plate the part is built on. A second row lists a build volume reduction to 50 x 50 x 50 mm (2.0 x 2.0 x 2.0 in), again less the plate. A reduced volume needs far less powder to fill, which is the practical way to try a new or scarce alloy without loading the full cylinder. The table does not say whether the reduction is part of the base machine, so confirm that when quoting.

Resolution is where a machine this size earns its place. The beam focus diameter is 80 – 100 µm, the minimum feature size is 140 µm, and layer thickness is variable from 20 – 75 µm with more on request. Maximum scan speed is 10 m/s. The 33 cm³/h rate is explicitly theoretical, calculated as layer thickness x scan speed x hatch distance x number of lasers, and with one laser that last term is one. Recoating and the scan pattern of a real part are not in that product, so treat it as a ceiling when estimating build times.

Site requirements are light for a metal machine. Power input is 400 V 3NPE, 32 A, 50/60 Hz, 3 kW. Argon consumption is 0.6 L/min in process and 70 L/min in purging, so gas use is driven by how often the chamber is purged more than by build hours. Compressed air must meet ISO 8573-1:2010 [1:4:1] at 7 bar. At 2,460 mm tall, the cabinet needs door and ceiling clearances checked along the delivery route. For scale, the SLM 500 Quad builds in 500 x 280 x 365 mm (19.7 x 11 x 14.4 in) with 4 x 700 W fiber lasers and weighs approx. 4,200 kg (9,259 lb).

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Build Envelope	125 x 125 x 125 mm (4.9 x 4.9 x 4.9 in), reduced by substrate plate thickness
Build Volume Reduction	50 x 50 x 50 mm (2.0 x 2.0 x 2.0 in), reduced by substrate plate thickness
Laser Configuration	Single, 1 x 400 W
Theoretical Build Rate	up to 33 cm³/h (theoretical: layer thickness x scan speed x hatch distance x number of lasers)
Variable Layer Thickness	20 – 75 µm (more on request)
Minimum Feature Size	140 µm
Beam Focus Diameter	80 – 100 µm
Max Scan Speed	10 m/s
Inert Gas Consumption	0.6 L/min argon in process; 70 L/min argon in purging
Compressed Air Requirement	ISO 8573-1:2010 [1:4:1], 7 bar
Power Input	400 V 3NPE, 32 A, 50/60 Hz, 3 kW
Machine Dimensions Lxwxh	1,400 x 900 x 2,460 mm (55.1 x 35.4 x 96.9 in)

Specifications sourced from nikon-slm-solutions.com — verified 2026-09-24

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Beam focus diameter of 80 – 100 µm and a 140 µm minimum feature size suit fine detail and thin walls
Layer thickness is variable from 20 – 75 µm, with more on request
A listed build volume reduction to 50 x 50 x 50 mm (2.0 x 2.0 x 2.0 in) lets small powder quantities be run
Small cabinet: 1,400 x 900 x 2,460 mm (55.1 x 35.4 x 96.9 in)
Light utility demand: 400 V 3NPE, 32 A, 3 kW and 0.6 L/min of argon in process

Limitations

The 125 x 125 x 125 mm (4.9 x 4.9 x 4.9 in) envelope is reduced further by the substrate plate thickness, so parts near the limit need checking against the real usable height
One 400 W laser and a theoretical build rate of up to 33 cm³/h make it slow for anything beyond small batches
The build rate is a calculated product of layer thickness, scan speed, hatch distance and laser count, not a measured throughput
Purging draws 70 L/min of argon against 0.6 L/min in process, so frequent short builds use a disproportionate share of gas
The table gives no machine weight, so floor loading has to be confirmed separately

Best For

Alloy and parameter development on a single 400 W laser Small parts with features down to the 140 µm minimum feature size Material trials in the reduced 50 x 50 x 50 mm (2.0 x 2.0 x 2.0 in) build volume Labs and tool rooms with limited floor space and a 32 A supply

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the build envelope of the SLM 125?

125 x 125 x 125 mm (4.9 x 4.9 x 4.9 in), reduced by the thickness of the substrate plate. The table also lists a build volume reduction to 50 x 50 x 50 mm (2.0 x 2.0 x 2.0 in), likewise reduced by the plate, for work that should not fill the whole cylinder with powder.

02 How fast does the SLM 125 build?

SLM Solutions states a theoretical build rate of up to 33 cm³/h with the single 400 W laser and a maximum scan speed of 10 m/s. The figure is defined as layer thickness x scan speed x hatch distance x number of lasers, so it leaves out recoating and any time the laser is not melting. Real builds will come in under it.

03 How fine a feature can the SLM 125 produce?

The minimum feature size is 140 µm, with a beam focus diameter of 80 – 100 µm. Layer thickness is variable from 20 – 75 µm, and SLM Solutions notes that more is available on request. Thinner layers give a finer step in the build direction at the expense of build time.

04 What utilities does the SLM 125 need?

Electrical supply is 400 V 3NPE, 32 A, 50/60 Hz, 3 kW. Argon consumption is 0.6 L/min in process and 70 L/min in purging. Compressed air must be at 7 bar and meet ISO 8573-1:2010 [1:4:1]. The gas rows give argon figures only.

05 How does the SLM 125 compare with the SLM 500 Quad?

They sit at opposite ends of the scale. The SLM 125 has one 400 W laser over 125 x 125 x 125 mm (4.9 x 4.9 x 4.9 in). The SLM 500 Quad has 4 x 700 W fiber lasers over 500 x 280 x 365 mm (19.7 x 11 x 14.4 in) and weighs approx. 4,200 kg (9,259 lb). One is a machine for trials and small parts, the other for production plates.