Metal 3D Printing FAQ Encyclopedia | 3DPrintingPlatform.com

Basic Knowledge

21 Questions

Metal 3D printing encompasses a range of additive manufacturing technologies, each suitable for specific materials and use cases. The main processes include:

1. SLM (Selective Laser Melting):

Uses high-power lasers to fully melt metal powder and build dense parts layer by layer. Ideal for industrial applications requiring high strength and precision.

2. DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering):

Similar to SLM, but focuses on sintering rather than complete melting. Well-suited for functional components with complex geometries.

3. EBM (Electron Beam Melting):

Uses an electron beam in a vacuum to melt powder, minimizing oxidation risks. Especially suitable for processing high-performance materials like titanium alloys.

4. DED (Directed Energy Deposition):

Deposits metal powder or wire while simultaneously melting it with a laser, electron beam, or arc. Ideal for part repair or building large structures.

5. Binder Jetting:

Jets a binder onto metal powder to form the initial shape, followed by sintering. Simple and cost-effective, ideal for mass production.

6. FDM with Metal Filament:

Uses composite filaments containing metal particles in standard FDM printing. After printing, the part undergoes debinding and sintering. Suitable for entry-level or R&D applications due to lower equipment costs.

SLM and DMLS are currently the dominant industrial-grade metal 3D printing technologies, best suited for high-precision, high-strength part manufacturing.

Binder Jetting and DED offer cost and size advantages, making them suitable for large-scale or cost-sensitive applications.

The choice of technology should depend on specific materials, part geometry, and equipment capabilities.

Hanin offers custom metal 3D printing services to global customers, contact us to learn more.

Price & Cost

8 Questions

Technical Parameters

14 Questions

Material Selection

11 Questions

Material	Printing Difficulty	Strength	Density	Corrosion Resistance	ApplicationAreas
Aluminum Alloy	Medium	Medium	Low	Medium	Automotive,Aerospace
Titanium Alloy	Relatively High	High	Low	High	Aerospace, Medical
Stainless Steel	Low	High	Medium	High	Industrial, Machinery
Tool Steel / Carbon Steel	High	Very High	High	Low	Molds, Tools
Nickel-Based Alloy	Medium	High	High	High	High-Temperature Parts, Energy

Process Flow

8 Questions

Post-processing Technology

7 Questions

Application Fields

12 Questions

Troubleshooting & Popular Questions

10 Questions

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3D Metal Printing FAQ

Basic Knowledge

1. What is metal 3D printing?

2. What's the difference between metal 3D printing and plastic 3D printing?

3. How does metal 3D printing differ from traditional manufacturing?

4. Is metal 3D printing suitable for personal use?

5. What kinds of complex structures are suitable for metal 3D printing?

6. What software is needed for metal 3D printing (modeling, slicing, etc.)?

7. What are the advantages and disadvantages of metal 3D printing?

8. Are there 3D printers that can print metal directly?

9. How does a metal 3D printer work?

10. Will metal 3D printing become widely used in the future?

11. What’s your opinion on metal 3D printing?

12. What are the mainstream processes used in metal 3D printing?

13. What are the technologies used in metal 3D printing?

1. SLM (Selective Laser Melting):

2. DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering):

3. EBM (Electron Beam Melting):

4. DED (Directed Energy Deposition):

5. Binder Jetting:

6. FDM with Metal Filament:

14. When did metal 3D printing technology begin?

15. What’s the difference between DMLS and SLM?

16. What are the advantages of Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)?

17. What types of materials are used in 3D printing?

18. What raw materials are used in 3D printing?

19. Can 3D printers only use plastic?

20. Are all filaments compatible with any 3D printer?

21. What’s the difference between metal 3D printing and Metal Injection Molding (MIM)?

Price & Cost

1. How much does metal 3D printing cost?

2. What is the typical price for metal 3D printing services?

3. How much does a metal 3D printer cost?

Entry-level machines:

Industrial-grade systems:

High-end or large-format metal printers:

4. How is the pricing for metal 3D printing calculated — by gram, by hour, or by volume?

5. Is there a price difference between different metal materials used in 3D printing?

6. Are maintenance costs for metal 3D printers high?

7. Is metal 3D printing more expensive than traditional manufacturing?

8. Can metal 3D printing reduce costs by saving material usage?

Technical Parameters

1. What is the precision of metal 3D printing?

2. How does the accuracy of metal 3D printing compare to traditional manufacturing methods?

3. What are the size limitations of metal 3D printing?

4. How does the strength of metal 3D printed parts compare to cast or forged parts?

5. What is the overall strength of 3D printed components?

6. Can 3D printed metal parts match the strength of CNC-machined parts?

7. Can 3D printers use metal wire as printing material?

8. What is the warranty period for metal 3D printed parts?

9. How long does metal 3D printing take?

10. What are the differences in precision and speed among various metal 3D printing technologies?

SLM / DMLS:

EBM (Electron Beam Melting):

DED (Directed Energy Deposition):

Binder Jetting:

11. What is the typical layer thickness in metal 3D printing?

12. Can the internal density be controlled during metal 3D printing?

13. Does metal 3D printing require a specific temperature-controlled environment?

14. How do metal 3D printed parts perform in terms of fatigue strength and corrosion resistance?

Material Selection

1. What materials are used in metal 3D printing?

2. Can 3D printed models replicate the look and feel of metal or stone textures?

3. Can aluminum be used for 3D printing?

4. Can titanium be 3D printed, and why is it so popular?

5. Which metals are difficult to 3D print?

6. What types of materials are used in metal cutting (machining)?

7. What is the most commonly used material in metal 3D printing?

8. How do different metal materials compare in printability (e.g., aluminum, titanium, steel, stainless steel, nickel alloys)?

9. What’s the difference between metal powder and metal wire in 3D printing?

10. How do the raw material costs of metal 3D printing compare across different metals?

11. What are the storage and shelf life requirements for metal 3D printing materials?

Process Flow

1. How can 3D printing be used to create metal casting molds?

2. What is metal binder jetting technology?

3. Which is better: stamping or metal 3D printing?

4. How does metal 3D printing accelerate product development?

5. What are the pre-processing steps before metal 3D printing?

6. How do you design a model suitable for metal 3D printing?

7. How are support structures designed and removed in metal 3D printing?