10 Best Metal 3D Printers in 2024

Factors to Consider when Buying a Metal 3D Printer

Printing Technology

As you can see, there are a whole lot of technologies available. 

To choose between them, you have to consider 1. Do you want an office-friendly printer? Or are you prepared to handle powder directly (with the necessary protection, of course)? 

SLS and SLM printers are costlier, and you must invest in powder circulation systems. If you prefer an office-friendly system, go for an FDM printer. 

Accuracy 

How accurate do your builds need to be? For reasonable accuracy, you’ll want an XY (horizontal) resolution of at least 20 microns.

The accuracy of a printer indicates its repeatability — this feature is crucial with most applications. 

Print Quality

Print quality is determined by layer thickness/resolution. A smaller layer thickness equals better print quality. 

The difference between print quality and accuracy — accuracy is how true the print is to the 3D model and copies of the print, while the print quality is the surface resolution. 

If you’re building large metal parts for aerospace or automotive applications, the surface finish might not be as crucial as its sturdiness. 

However, this feature is essential for medical applications and jewelry-making. For decent print quality, you need a layer thickness of at least 30 microns and below. 

Ease of Use

Metal 3D printers look intimidating, but manufacturers take great pains to make them accessible and easy to use without much training. 

With touchscreens, cameras, automation, and intuitive software, the ideal metal printer doesn’t require a dedicated operator — and can be left to print by itself until the part is ready. 

Build Volume

If you are primarily printing small objects, opt for a smaller build volume. For large objects, you will need a large build volume. (Duh. I know!)

Material Compatibility

An important aspect to help you decide on a printer is material compatibility. Which metals are you looking to use?

Most metal 3D printers are compatible with stainless steel and tool steel. Many others are also compatible with cobalt chrome, aluminum, and titanium. Some printers can also print precious metals. 

Always ensure this beforehand, as it’s critical that your chosen printer can print with your desired material. 

Price

Metal 3D printers are some of the most expensive 3D printers available. Luckily, there are some affordable options. Some technologies are more costly than others. 

Binder and material jetting are the most expensive, with SLM/SLS printers close behind. FDM and FFF printers are much more affordable. 

Advantages of Metal 3D Printing

Freedom of Design

With metal 3D printing, you can reduce the overall weight of your parts by designing complex lattices and internal channels.

You can also print multiple parts at once, as well as complex assemblies. Also, you can do the impossible with 3D printing and take on designs and geometries that simply cannot be done with traditional methods. 

Easy and Quick Prototyping 

With metal 3D printing, you can easily and quickly create functional prototypes from metals. This saves time and money, especially in the aerospace and defense industries, where one small design mistake can be super costly. 

Minimal Material Waste

Metal 3D manufacturing is much less wasteful than traditional methods, which are usually subtractive — such methods result in a lot of waste. When it comes to 3D printers, what you need is what you use — no more, no less. 

Affordability and Fast ROI 

3D printing/additive manufacturing is much more affordable than its subtractive counterpart. With lower material cost and cost per part, you can make some serious savings over time and a good ROI. 

Though printers can be initially expensive, manufacturers are rolling out more accessible and affordable printers than ever. 

Another benefit — not only is it cheaper than outsourcing, but it allows you to be self-reliable rather than depending on a third party. And there’s no need to keep a standing inventory of parts. 

The costs of CNC manufacturing can quickly stack up — from casting and tooling to molding — which can be a hard blow to budgets. 

Convenience and Speed

Unlike traditional manufacturing, you can print parts immediately and on demand. 

There’s no need to wait weeks to receive a part, and if you ever need to adjust, you can amend your design in CAD and print it straight away. 

Disadvantages of Metal 3D Printing

High Initial Cost

Though printers can save money, time, and labor, they’re initially an expensive investment. Especially LPBF metal 3D printers, which have a lot of costly lasers… Those often require additional post-processing stations, including debinders and sintering furnaces. 

Strength of Parts 

3D printers can create complex geometries — but in terms of tensile strength and density, they are yet to reach the level of traditionally-manufactured parts. That isn’t to say they’re brittle or weak. 

On the contrary, printers can create substantial and sturdy objects. However, traditionally manufactured things are usually more structurally solid — since they’re carved out in one piece, not layers like 3D printing. 

As 3D printing goes more and more into the mainstream, we can expect more progress and development in this field.