Metal 3D printers in 2021: a comprehensive guide
Table of contents
- What is the best metal 3D printer in 2021?
- The best metal 3D printers in 2021
- Main types of metal 3D printing technologies
- Overview of the best metal 3D printers in 2021
- Upcoming 3D metal printers
- Alternative metal 3D printers and special mentions
- Pros and cons of metal 3D additive manufacturing
- Metal 3D printing materials
- Metal 3D printer price: how much does a metal 3D printer cost?
- Applications for metal AM systems
- Metal 3D printing services: order 3D metal parts online
- Metal 3D printing technologies and acronyms
- FAQ
What is the best metal 3D printer in 2021?
Over the past few years, there has been a surge in both supply and demand for metal 3D printers.
Manufacturers are launching metal additive manufacturing machines that are faster, easier to use, and more powerful with an increasing number of compatible metals.
Many businesses are adopting these 3D metal printing technologies to produce cost-effective metal parts and prototypes, benefiting as well from increased freedom of design linked to additive manufacturing. They are suitable for a variety of industries such as aerospace, automotive, health, engineering, and more.
Although metal 3D printer prices have been slowly and slightly decreasing, these machines are still relatively expensive acquisitions, mostly ranging from $80K to almost $1M.
With our metal 3D printer selection, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of what’s available from well-established and distributed brands, at various price points, and with different metal 3D printing technologies.
The best metal 3D printers in 2021
| 3D printer | Technology | Main technology category | Build volume | Country | Price* | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3D Systems DMP FLEX 100 | Direct Metal Printing | Powder bed fusion | 100 x 100 x 90 mm | United States | $250,000 | Quote |
| Additec μPrinter | Laser Metal Deposition | Directed Energy Deposition | 160 x 120 x 450 mm | Germany | $90,000 | Quote |
| Coherent CREATOR | Selective Laser Melting | Powder bed fusion | ø 100 x 100 mm | Germany | $100,000 | Quote |
| Desktop Metal Production System | Single Pass Jetting™ | Material Jetting | 490 x 380 x 260 mm | United States | $420,000 | Quote |
| Desktop Metal Studio System | Bound Metal Deposition™ | Extrusion | 300 x 200 x 200 mm | United States | $120,000 | Quote |
| Digital Metal DM P2500 | - | Binder Jetting | 203 x 180 x 69 mm | Sweden | $700,000 | Quote |
| EOS M 100 | Direct Metal Laser Sintering | Powder bed fusion | ø 100 x 95 mm | Germany | $350,000 | Quote |
| Formalloy L-Series | - | Directed Energy Deposition | 200 x 200 x 200 mm | United States | $200,000 | Quote |
| GE Additive Arcam EBM Spectra L | Electron Beam Melting | Powder bed fusion | ø 350 x 430 mm | United States | > $250,000 | Quote |
| GE Additive M2 Series 5 | Direct Metal Laser Melting | Powder bed fusion | 245 x 245 x 350 mm | United States | > $250,000 | Quote |
| MarkForged Metal X | Atomic Diffusion Additive Manufacturing | Extrusion | 300 x 220 x 180 mm | United States | $99,500 | Quote |
| Pollen AM PAM Series MC | Pellet Additive Manufacturing | Extrusion | ø 300 x 300 mm | France | €135,000 | Quote |
| Rapidia Metal 3D printer | Water-based metal paste extrusion | Extrusion | 200 x 280 x 200 mm | Canada | > $100,000 | Quote |
| Renishaw RenAM 500E | Selective Laser Melting | Powder bed fusion | 250 x 250 x 350 mm | United Kingdom | > $250,000 | Quote |
| Sisma EVEMET 200 | Laser Metal Fusion | Powder bed fusion | ø 200 x 200 mm | Italy | > $250,000 | Quote |
| SLM Solutions SLM 125 | Selective Laser Melting | Powder bed fusion | 125 x 125 x 125 mm | Germany | $400,000 | Quote |
| SPEE3D LightSPEE3D | Supersonic Deposition | Material Jetting | 300 x 300 x 300 mm | Australia | $650,000 | Quote |
| TRIDITIVE AMCELL | Automated Multimaterial Deposition® | Extrusion | ø 220 x 330 mm | Spain | > $250,000 | Quote |
| TRUMPF TruPrint 1000 | Laser Metal Fusion | Powder bed fusion | ø 100 x 100 mm | Germany | $250,000 | Quote |
| Velo3D Sapphire | Laser Metal Fusion | Powder bed fusion | ø 315 x 1000 mm | United States | > $250,000 | Quote |
| Xact Metal XM200C | Selective Laser Melting | Powder bed fusion | 127 x 127 x 127 mm | United States | $80,000 | Quote |
| XJet Carmel 700M | NanoParticle Jetting™ | Material Jetting | 500 x 140 x 200 mm | Israel | > $250,000 | Quote |
Main types of metal 3D printing technologies
- Metal Powder Bed Fusion 3D printing (SLS, SLM, DMP)
- Directed Energy Deposition (DED)
- Metal filament extrusion (FFF, FDM)
- Material Jetting and Binder Jetting
There are also some resin-based metal 3D printers, and metal sheet lamination 3D printers, but they are harder to come by.
It is not uncommon to see different acronyms and names for similar technologies. Each brand markets their own, proprietary methods. Some metal 3D printer companies even use a mix of different technologies.
A breakdown of the metal 3D printer market by technology types.
Source: Aniwaa database (2019)
Overview of the best metal 3D printers in 2021
Here we provide a deeper look into each 3D metal printer from our list. They are grouped together according to their main 3D printing technology type (powder bed fusion, material/binder jetting, extrusion, and DED).
Extrusion-based metal 3D printer selection (FFF, FDM)
After the part is 3D printed, the result is a raw object or part; it must go through several post-processing steps– such as debinding and sintering– to attain its final form.
Desktop Metal Studio
- Build volume: 300 x 200 x 200 mm
- Technology: Bound Metal Deposition™
- Country: United States
- Price: $120,000
The printer uses filament that is filled with small, metal rods. During debinding, the binding material (wax and polymer binders) is dissolved thanks to a proprietary liquid substance. The part is left porous, and must go in the furnace for its particles to fuse and densify the part.
More information: Desktop Metal Studio
MarkForged Metal X
- Build volume: 300 x 220 x 180 mm
- Technology: Atomic Diffusion Additive Manufacturing
- Country: United States
- Price: $99,500
Available metal 3D printer filament includes various Steels (H13, A2, D2 tool steels, 316L stainless steel) as well as Inconel, Copper, and Titanium.
More information: MarkForged Metal X
Rapidia Metal 3D Printer
- Build volume: 280 x 280 x 200 mm
- Technology: Water-based metal paste extrusion
- Country: Canada
- Price: > $100,000
Confirmed, available paste types include several Stainless Steels, Inconel, and a few ceramics. Copper, Tungsten Chrome Carbide, Titanium, and various other metals are in development.
More information: Rapidia Metal 3D Printer
Pollen AM PAM Series MC
- Build volume: ø 300 x 300 mm
- Technology: Pellet Additive Manufacturing
- Country: France
- Price: €135,000
It extrudes injection-molding-grade pellets instead of metal 3D printer filament, driving material costs down significantly.
More information: Pollen AM PAM Series MC
TRIDITIVE AMCELL
- Build volume: ø 220 x 330 mm (x8)
- Technology: Automated Multimaterial Deposition®
- Country: Spain
- Price: > $250,000
Rather than providing one, big build volume, the TRIDITIVE AMCELL boasts eight delta-style ø 220 x 330 mm build areas. Its eight “robots” deposit metal-infused filament to create 3D metal parts. TRIDITIVE states that resulting parts are similar to ones produced with traditional MIM (Metal Injection Molding) methods.
More information: TRIDITIVE AMCELL
Metal powder bed fusion 3D printer selection (SLS, SLM, DMP, and more)
3D Systems DMP FLEX 100
- Build volume: 100 x 100 x 90 mm
- Technology: Direct Metal Printing
- Country: United States
- Price: $250,000
The printer comes with 3D Systems’ software 3DXpert All-in-One Software Solution for Metal Additive manufacturing. Their LaserForm metal 3D powders are certified.
More information: 3D Systems DMP FLEX 100
Coherent CREATOR
- Build volume: ø 100 x 100 mm
- Technology: Selective Laser Melting
- Country: Germany
- Price: $100,000
This metal printer’s 250W fiber laser is able to work with a range of materials including Brass, Bronze, Stainless Steel, Titanium, Aluminum, and Cobalt-Chrome. Coherent emphasizes on the printer’s ease of use, speed, and reliability.
More information: Coherent CREATOR
EOS M 100
- Build volume: ø 100 x 95 mm
- Technology: Direct Metal Laser Sintering
- Country: Germany
- Price: $350,000
The EOS M100’s laser spot is precise enough to provide a great level of detail, backed by 200 W of powder.
More information: EOS M 100
GE Additive Arcam EBM Spectra L
- Build volume: ø 350 x 430 mm
- Technology: Electron Beam Melting
- Country: United States
- Price: > $250,000
This metal 3D printer is dedicated to Titanium 3D printing, but Copper is in the pipeline as well. Its laser beam power is equal to 4.5 kW, partly explaining the printer’s high melting capacity and productivity. Common applications for this printer include orthopedic implants and parts for the aerospace industry.
More information: GE Additive Arcam EBM Spectra L
GE Additive M2 Series 5
- Build volume: 245 x 245 x 350 mm
- Technology: Direct Metal Laser Melting
- Country: United States
- Price: > $250,000
The M2 metal additive manufacturing solution is compatible with a range of metals, from Stainless Steels to Aluminum, Nickel, Titanium, and Cobalt-Chrome.
More information: GE Additive M2 Series 5
Renishaw RenAM 500E
- Build volume: 250 x 250 x 350 mm
- Technology: Selective Laser Melting
- Country: United Kingdom
- Price: > $250,000
This system is also equipped with an oxygen sensor and a proprietary emission-filtering system branded SafeChange™.
More information: Renishaw RenAM 500E
Sisma EVEMET 200
- Build volume: ø 200 x 200 mm
- Technology: Laser Metal Fusion
- Country: Italy
- Price: > $250,000
Its powder tank can hold up to two and a half times the printer’s maximum build volume, allowing users to minimize material loading and handling.
More information: Sisma EVEMET 200
SLM Solutions SLM 125
- Build volume: 125 x 125 x 125 mm
- Technology: Selective Laser Melting
- Country: Germany
- Price: $400,000
Options such as laser monitoring and melt pool monitoring are available for businesses that require full transparency and control over their production series.
More information: SLM Solutions SLM 125
TRUMPF TruPrint 1000
- Build volume: ø 100 x 100 mm
- Technology: Laser Metal Fusion
- Country: Germany
- Price: $250,000
This metal 3D printer can be operated remotely via a tablet application, which also gives access to its onboard camera stream.
More information: TRUMPF TruPrint 1000
Velo3D Sapphire
- Build volume: ø 315 x 1000 mm
- Technology: Laser Metal Fusion
- Country: United States
- Price: > $250,000
The system is also equipped with a range of metrology sensors that measure each and every layer that is 3D printed.
More information: Velo3D Sapphire
Xact Metal XM200C
- Build volume: 127 x 127 x 127 mm
- Technology: Selective Laser Melting
- Country: United States
- Price: $80,000
Xact Metal offers their own materials, branded Xact Powder, including various Stainless Steels, Super Alloys, Tooling Steels, Aluminum, Titanium, Bronze, and Copper. Advanced users are able to use their own metal powders if needed.
More information: Xact Metal XM200C
Metal material jetting and binder jetting 3D printers
Binder jetting is a similar process, but it is a binding agent that is jetted atop a layer of powder.
Desktop Metal Production System
- Build volume: 330 x 330 x 330 mm
- Technology: Single Pass Jetting™
- Country: United States
- Price: $420,000
This Desktop Metal 3D printer is equipped with over 16,000 nozzles that are mounted onto a “print bar” that recoats the build plate with powder at the same time, hence explaining the technology’s name: Single Pass Jetting™.
More information: Desktop Metal Production System
Digital Metal DM P2500
- Build volume: 203 x 180 x 69 mm
- Technology: Binder Jetting
- Country: Sweden
- Price: $700,000
Another interesting feat to point out is that almost 100% of leftover powder can be recycled for future prints. This metal AM machine is able to churn out serial production series efficiently and reliably; one of the company’s first DM P2500 printers has been running 24/7 since 2013, according to Digital Metal.
The Digital Metal DM P2500 is a certified metal 3D printer (CE and UL) that is compatible with certified metal materials (ISO 22068).
More information: Digital Metal DM P2500
SPEE3D LightSPEE3D
- Build volume: 300 x 300 x 300 mm
- Technology: Supersonic Deposition
- Country: Australia
- Price: $650,000
This enables the LightSPEE3D to 3D print at up to 100 grams per minute and with a range of metals including copper.
More information: SPEE3D LightSPEE3D
XJet Carmel 700M
- Build volume: 500 x 280 x 200 mm
- Technology: NanoParticle Jetting™
- Country: Israel
- Price: > $250,000
After being printed, the metal parts must go through support removal and sintering processes to attain their final form.
More information: XJet Carmel 700M
DED: Directed Energy Deposition metal additive manufacturing systems
Additec μPrinter
- Build volume: 160 x 120 x 450 mm
- Technology: Laser Metal Deposition
- Country: Germany
- Price: $90,000
The printer features a compact footprint, inert chamber system, and can handle wire diameters ranging from 0.6 mm to 1 mm.
More information: Additec μPrinter
Formalloy L-Series
- Build volume: 200 x 200 x 200 mm
- Technology: Directed Energy Deposition
- Country: United States
- Price: $200,000
Different laser wavelengths are available, as well as different build volumes: 200 x 200 x 200 mm, 500 x 500 x 500 mm, and 1000 x 1000 x 1000 mm. Metal 3D printers from Formalloy can be customized depending on company requirements.
More information: Formalloy L-Series
Upcoming 3D metal printers
- Aurora Labs RMP-1
- Tritone Technologies Dominant
- One Click Metal MPRINT
- Digital Alloys Joule Printing
- Xerox (via their Vader Systems acquisition)
- HP Metal Jet
Alternative metal 3D printers and special mentions
Hybrid metal manufacturing systems
Some manufacturers are specialized in hybrid metal manufacturing systems. They combine both subtractive and additive manufacturing methods, often with robotic arms that are able to move on more than three axes.
Some of the biggest actors on the hybrid metal AM system market are:
XXL-sized metal 3D printers for industrial production
For those that require very large metal parts, there are several huge, industrial machines that offer gigantic build volumes for industrial production. To name a few:
Metal 3D printers from China
There has recently been a lot of growth in the metal 3D printer market in Asia, and more specifically in China. Some Chinese brands have been upping their game in that respect, providing industrial-grade metal 3D printing options:
However, we feel that they are not yet playing in the same league as the 3D printers from our main selection, mostly due to a lack of distribution networks, after-sales service and training, and other factors which tend to matter when considering them together as a whole.
R&D metal 3D printers for labs
In certain cases, metal 3D printers are used for research purposes to develop and test new materials. There are a few machines that are specifically designed for this:
Pros and cons of metal 3D additive manufacturing
Benefits of 3D printing metal parts
- On-demand production: Metal additive manufacturing offers more flexibility and control over the production line.
- Complex designs made possible: With 3D printing technology, it is possible to create highly detailed and intricate parts that would have to be broken down into several pieces with traditional methods.
- Waste reduction: Compared to CNC milling, for example, metal AM produces much less waste as it only consumes the material needed for a certain part. This is more true for extrusion-based methods than it is for powder-based methods, where it isn’t always possible to re-use 100% of unsintered or unbinded material.
- Lighter parts: Whereas metal parts are usually completely solid infill-wise with other methods, 3D printing allows parts to be more or less hollow without undermining their strength and resistance.
- Cost-effectiveness: All the above benefits of metal 3D printing can inherently reduce costs per part, although high metal 3D printer prices do represent a significant entry barrier. Reaching a positive return on investment can take a while depending on your throughput.
Limits of metal 3D printing
- Metal 3D printing prices: Metal AM systems are still quite expensive, as are metal powders and metal filaments. There are hidden costs, too (e.g. energy consumption, learning curve, etc.).
- Environmental constraints and safety precautions: Most metal 3D printers have a large footprint and require specific operating environments with controlled temperatures, hygrometry, and more.
- Post-processing: In many cases it is necessary for parts to be post-processed, whether it’s debinding and sintering or finishing touches for surface quality.
- Physical properties: It can be difficult to achieve the same physical properties that traditionally manufactured metal parts have. There are a number of factors (e.g. anisotropy) to take into account during the design process and file preparation before even trying to 3D print a certain part.
Metal 3D printing materials
Which metals can you 3D print?
A growing number of metals and metal alloys can be 3D printed. These are the main ones:
- Aluminum
- Titanium
- Nickel, Inconel
- Copper
- Bronze
- Cobalt, Cobalt-Chrome
- Steels (tooling, maraging, stainless)
- Precious metals (gold, silver, platinum)
Which metal 3D printing material formats are available?
Metal 3D printing material can be found in various formats, catering to different metal 3D printing methods. The most common are:
- Powder
- Wire
- Filament
It is also possible to find metal 3D printing resin as well as metal sheets for lamination-based 3D printers.
Metal 3D printer price: how much does a metal 3D printer cost?
Additional costs to consider are the materials for metal 3D printing, which can cost a few hundred USD/kg, as well as costs linked to post-processing (tools, time, etc.).
Applications for metal AM systems
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Medical
Whether it’s for tooling, replacement parts, or final products, many businesses can benefit from metal 3D printing.
However, metal additive manufacturing isn’t necessarily beneficial for every single metal part. Although some metal 3D printing systems have a relative capacity for serial production, it is generally cheaper to keep using traditional methods for simple parts.
For cases where complex geometries, rapid prototyping, and mass customization are required, metal AM is convenient and efficient.
Metal 3D printing services: order 3D metal parts online
These additive manufacturing service companies own a variety of high-quality 3D printers with different technologies, and their professionals are experts in 3D printing. It is possible to order metal 3D parts on-demand, without acquiring a 3D printer or having to buy a certain material for one-time use.
Here are some of the most trusted 3D printing websites that offer metal printing services:
Metal 3D printing technologies and acronyms
- Powder Bed Fusion (PBF): DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering), DMP (Direct Metal Printing), LaserCUSING, LBM (Laser Beam Melting), LMF (Laser Metal Fusion), SLS (Selective Laser Sintering), SLM (Selective Laser Melting)
- Directed Energy Deposition (DED): DMT (Direct Metal Tooling), EBAM (Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing), EBM (Electron Beam Melting), LENS (Laser Engineered Net Shaping), LMD (Laser Metal Deposition)
- Metal Material Jetting (MJ) or Binder Jetting (BJ): Magnet-o-Jet, Nanoparticle Jetting, SPJ (Single Pass Jetting), Metal Jet
- Metal filament extrusion/Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF): ADAM (Atomic Diffusion Additive Manufacturing), CEM (Composite Extrusion Modeling), FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling), FFD (Fused Feedstock Deposition), FMP (Filament Metal Printing), BMD (Bound Metal Deposition), MIM (Metal Injection Molding)
- Lamination: SL (Sheet Lamination), UAM (Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing)
- Metal resin 3D printing: DLP (Digital Light Processing), FluidFM, SLA (Stereolithography)
FAQ
Is 3D printed metal strong?
Metal 3D printed parts can be as strong (or even stronger) as metal parts created with traditional manufacturing processes such as casting. The part’s strength will, however, depend on the metal AM method used and the conditions in which it is 3D printed.
More information: How Strong Are 3D-Printed Metal Parts? Metallurgical Integrity in Metal Additive Manufacturing
When was 3D metal printing invented?
Metal 3D printing became possible in the 1990s with the development of Selective Laser Melting technology. However, 3D metal printing only started to gain traction and public interest around 2010 onwards.
How does metal 3D printing work?
There are several ways to 3D print metal. Layers of metal filament can be deposited one after the other, producing a green part that must later go through debinding and sintering steps. It is also possible to fuse metal powder particles together with a laser, or with an inkjet printhead that deposits drops of binding material onto the powder.
