On: SpaceX – Pad abort test successful

> they're printed in inconel using Direct Metal Laser Sintering.

As someone who works with people who occasionally have to machine this stuff, that's seriously impressive.

What are the comparative advantages of Direct Metal Laser Sintering vs the more traditional CNC Milling?

CNC Milling

- Broader base of manufacturers who can meet specs

- Lower cost?

- Higher strength?

- Faster essential steps (prototyping can be done more rapidly)

3D Printing

- More optimal alloy distribution since the part is built up instead of milled down

- Less raw materials used / lower waste

fixermark suggests: - Can machine shapes that are impossible to machine via reductive process.

I don't know for certain if it mattered in this specific case, but the 3D Printing list should include

- Can machine shapes that are impossible to machine via reductive process.

... (sort of, if you turn your head and squint. "Without seams" ;) ).

CNC milling does have more metal waste up front, but it's usually recovered, separated from any contaminants, and remelted into new metal, so it's not really "waste" in the long-term sense. The recovery isn't free, of course, but then that's just another part of the economics calculation.