Shenzhen Alu Rapid Prototype Precision Co., Ltd.

3D metal printing (also called metal additive manufacturing or metal 3D printing) builds metal parts layer by layer from a digital 3D model, instead of subtracting material (like machining) or forcing it into a mold (like casting). There are several different technologies, but the most common and industrially relevant ones are:

Main Metal 3D Printing Technologies

Step-by-Step: The Most Common Process (Powder Bed Fusion – DMLS/SLM)

1.CAD Model → Sliced into layers (20–100 µm thick).

2.Build Chamber Preparation  

3.Powder Spreading

4.Laser Melting

5.Lower & Repeat

6.Cool Down

7.Post-Processing 

Why Use Metal 3D Printing at All?

a.Geometries impossible with machining (internal cooling channels, lattices, topology-optimized parts)  

b.Part count reduction (consolidate assemblies into one print)  

c.Rapid prototyping of metal parts in days instead of weeks  

d.Tooling with conformal cooling channels (injection molds, die casting dies) → 20–50% faster cycle times  

e.Lightweight aerospace/medical parts (titanium lattice structures)