Independent metal AM
Nikon SLM 500 vs Sciaky EBAM 300
Start with the differences that could affect your part. Confirm the complete configuration with each supplier.
The big difference
- Nikon SLM 500 uses Powder bed fusion · laser powder bed fusion (LPBF); Sciaky EBAM 300 uses Directed energy deposition · electron-beam wire DED.
- These specifications alone cannot tell us which machine will make a given part faster or cheaper.
What this pairing comes down to
This pairing crosses process families — Powder bed fusion · laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) against Directed energy deposition · electron-beam wire DED — so the decisive factor is usually which process fits the part geometry, material and finishing route, not which machine is bigger. Feedstock differs as well: Metal powder versus Metal wire — powder and wire systems rarely share qualification work. The spec sheet narrows the field; your volumes and quotes decide the buy case — the calculator computes the crossing for this pair.
Side by side
| Question | Nikon SLM 500 | Sciaky EBAM 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Quick description | LPBF machine; compare published build space and laser configuration below. | Wire-fed DED machine; compare energy source, feedstock and published envelope below. |
| Process | Powder bed fusion · laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) | Directed energy deposition · electron-beam wire DED |
| Build size | 500 x 280 x 365 mm (reduced by substrate plate); quad 4 x 700 W | Work Envelope 228in (5791 mm) x 48in (1219 mm) x 48in (1219 mm); Nominal Part Envelope 280in (7112 mm) x 48in x 48in |
| Energy / lasers | 4 × 700 W | Electron beam · wire deposition in vacuum |
| Feedstock | Metal powder | Metal wire |
| Machine status | Availability unconfirmed | Availability unconfirmed |
| Public price | CLASS RECORD · 2013 No public list price (dated public record, not a current quote) | Current quote required |
Build size is the maximum published physical space. Energy or laser counts describe the machine configuration; they do not prove a throughput winner.
What do these differences actually mean?
A difference may matter when your part size, material, production plan or process qualification requires it. Confirm the exact application with both suppliers; this page does not declare a winner.
What public specs cannot tell you
Nikon SLM 500
| Capability | Source-backed detail |
|---|---|
| Nikon SLM 500 build envelope + lasers | 500 x 280 x 365 mm (reduced by substrate plate); quad 4 x 700 WOEM ↗ · Source reviewed |
More published specifications and source notes
| Published detail | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Nikon SLM 500 productivity/gas figures | theoretical build rate up to 345 cm3/h; min feature 150 um; max scan 10 m/s; process Ar 16 L/min; average inert gas 250 L/minOEM ↗ · Source reviewed |
| Layer thickness | 20–90 µm; additional values available on request, per the four-700 W configuration brochure.OEM ↗ · OEM source checked |
| Machine dimensions / footprint | 6080 x 2530 x 2620 mm (L x W x H), documented four-700 W configuration.OEM ↗ · OEM source checked |
| Published print speed / throughput — stated basis | Up to 345 cm³/h theoretical system build rate, four-700 W configuration; not finished-part output.OEM ↗ · OEM source checked |
| Manufacturer positioning | Nikon describes the SLM 500 as a system for serial production with removable build cylinders.OEM ↗ · OEM source checked |
Sciaky EBAM 300
| Capability | Source-backed detail |
|---|---|
| Sciaky EBAM 300 envelope - CURRENT PAGE | Work Envelope 228in (5791 mm) x 48in (1219 mm) x 48in (1219 mm); Nominal Part Envelope 280in (7112 mm) x 48in x 48inOEM ↗ · Source reviewed |
More published specifications and source notes
| Published detail | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Sciaky EBAM process | electron-beam wire-feed DED in vacuum; power up to 42 kW at 60 kV; wire feedstock incl Ti, Ni alloys, tool steelsOEM ↗ · Source reviewed |
| Published build envelope | Nominal part envelope: 7112 x 1219 x 1219 mm; work envelope: 5791 x 1219 x 1219 mm. These are distinct OEM measurement bases.OEM ↗ · OEM source checked |
| Gas / atmosphere — stated scope | EBAM 300 chamber hard vacuum: 1 x 10⁻⁴ Torr, per OEM specification.OEM ↗ · OEM source checked |
| Manufacturer positioning | Sciaky positions EBAM 300 for large metal-part production.OEM ↗ · OEM source checked |