Shenzhen Alu Rapid Prototype Precision Co., Ltd.
Industry News
Several 3D printers can produce functional metal parts, primarily through industrial additive manufacturing processes. Unlike consumer plastic printers, true metal 3D printing typically involves metal powders or bound materials, often requiring post-processing like sintering, and these systems range from office-friendly setups to large industrial machines.
Key Technologies for Metal 3D Printing
Powder Bed Fusion (e.g., DMLS/SLM): A laser melts metal powder layer by layer; highly precise for complex parts.
Binder Jetting: Binder is jetted onto metal powder, followed by sintering; faster and suitable for batch production.
Bound Metal Deposition / Material Extrusion: Prints metal powder in a binder (like plastic filament), then debinds and sinters; safer and more accessible.
Directed Energy Deposition (DED): Deposits and melts metal wire or powder; often for repairs or large parts.
Popular Metal 3D Printers
Here are some widely used examples:Markforged Metal X
Uses bound metal deposition (similar to FDM but with metal filament). Safe, office-friendly, no loose powder or lasers. Materials include stainless steel, tool steel, copper, Inconel, and titanium. Requires washing and sintering post-print.
Desktop Metal Studio System
Bound metal deposition system designed for offices/shops. Prints with bound metal rods, followed by debinding and sintering. Affordable entry into metal printing compared to laser-based systems.
Desktop Metal Studio System
Bound metal deposition system designed for offices/shops. Prints with bound metal rods, followed by debinding and sintering. Affordable entry into metal printing compared to laser-based systems.
EOS Systems (e.g., EOS M 290 or M 300 series)
Industrial DMLS printers using laser powder bed fusion. High precision, extensive material range (titanium, aluminum, steels). Widely used in aerospace and medical.
Other notable options include HP Metal Jet (binder jetting for production), 3D Systems DMP series, and entry-level approaches like using BASF Ultrafuse metal filament on modified desktop FDM printers (e.g., Prusa or Bambu Lab) with outsourced sintering.Here are examples of metal 3D printed parts and systems:
