Although metal 3D printing has grown into a billion-dollar industry by being faster and cheaper than traditional metal manufacturing for applications like single replacement parts, low-volume parts, injection molds, and prototypes, you may be asking yourself: Can I afford it?
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to find out.
Online metal 3D printing services have become a convenient and accessible option for individuals and businesses seeking high-quality metal parts. Especially now in the unpredictable tariff landscape, being able to choose exactly where your parts will be made — domestically or in the country where the part is needed — can be key to getting it quickly and at a low cost. Online services can give you a instant quote on producing your part, often including taxes, tariffs, and shipping.
In this article, we’ve put together a selection of the top online providers that offer instant quotes for their metal 3D printing services — not all 3D printing services do. These providers present a streamlined approach to manufacturing, allowing you to upload your designs, select your material, and receive expertly printed metal components.
But before diving into each service, let’s go over what criteria we looked at to narrow down the list of options.
How to Choose a Metal 3D Printing Service
Because many factors determine the quality of a 3D printing service or network, it’s important to rank your specific needs. With that said, when compiling our list of the best metal 3D printing services, we considered the following points.
- Instant quotes: The selection here focuses on suppliers that provide instant quotes, or instant quotes for most orders. When you upload a model and choose the printing technology and the material, the price will be instantly estimated so that you can work this into your budget right away.
- Pricing: Price is undeniably crucial. We looked for suppliers that offer competitive pricing. Keep in mind that bulk pricing is typically not available for instant quotes for metal 3D printing, and it’s often necessary to receive what’s called a “manual” quote.
- Range of materials and technologies: Metal can be 3D printed with a several technologies (10 in fact) with each delivering different part qualities. Although services offering a range of options can help you find the best fit for your specific application, metal laser powder bed fusion is by far the most common technology.
- Wide reach: Since metal 3D printing is still rather expensive and not available everywhere, we looked for services that offer shipping.
If you’re not familiar with metal 3D printing an don’t know the difference between DMLS, SLM, DED, and FDM, you’ll want to peruse our guide below to metal 3D printing so you can be sure that the parts you order will deliver the mechanical characteristics you need. But, like we mentioned metal laser powder bed fusion (M-LPBF), also know as DMLS and SLM, is by far the most common.
Now, let’s jump into our list!
Craftcloud
One platform that stands out in the sea of online metal 3D printing services is Craftcloud. Craftcloud offers a comprehensive solution for additive manufacturing needs, connecting customers with a global network of reliable and experienced 3D printing service providers.
By leveraging Craftcloud’s platform, users can access a wide range of materials, technologies, and finishing options. In terms of metal 3D printing, available materials across their network of service providers include several types of steels, aluminums, and even precious metals like gold. The network also covers all of the major metal printing technologies, such as direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), selective laser melting (SLM), binder jetting, and wax casting.
Craftcloud simplifies the process of finding the ideal manufacturing partner, ensuring seamless project execution and superior end results. Whether you require prototypes, custom parts, or small-batch production, Craftcloud provides a user-friendly interface and makes it easy to obtain competitive quotes. You can compare options and quickly select the perfect additive manufacturing service provider to bring your metal 3D printing projects to life.
Craftcloud not only offers an instant quote on all order regardless or quanity or material, but you can select specifically which partner you’d like to produce your part and in which country.
Protolabs
Protolabs, founded in 1999, is an international manufacturing company specializing in polymer and metal 3D printing services. In addition to 3D printing, it offers a range of other services, including CNC machining, injection molding, and sheet metal fabrication.
Protolabs employs DMLS (direct metal laser sintering) for its metal 3D printing. DMLS is more widely know as metal laser powder bed fusion, with DMLS being the brand name of the method used by 3D printer maker EOS. This technique uses a laser system to fuse metal powder into fully dense parts, allowing for the creation of precise and intricate designs.
Headquartered in the US., Protolabs boasts a global presence with 12 facilities worldwide.
Although Protolabs doesn’t provide 3D modeling services, if you have questions after the online quotation process, their expert engineers will walk you through your material and design choices, but this option is for companies that already know exactly what they’re looking for and want the convenience of a user-friendly online platform.
Xometry
Xometry, offers a comprehensive range of services, including metal 3D printing for aluminum and steels (316L, 17-4 PH). Their capabilities span DMLS, binder jetting, CNC machining, sheet and tube fabrication, metal injection molding, die casting, metal stamping, and metal extrusion. With such a diverse portfolio, Xometry is well-equipped to handle a wide array of manufacturing projects.
One key advantage of Xometry is its extensive network of over suppliers. This network ensures they have the capacity to fulfill various manufacturing requirements. Xometry also holds multiple certifications, including ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016, and AS9100D.
With offices in North America, Europe, and Asia, Xometry has established a global presence. This enables them to serve customers across different regions and provide localized support.
Unfortunately the company’s instant quote is limited. For most metal parts and larger volume parts, you’ll be provided with a manual quote via email. This should only take a few days at most.
Shapeways
Shapeways provides one of the most user-friendly platforms for individuals and businesses to upload their designs and have them 3D printed in a variety of materials, including plastics, metals, and ceramics.
For metal additive manufacturing, Shapeways offers SLM/Metal LPBF, binder jetting, and wax casting. In addition to 3D printing, Shapeways also offers polishing for certain metal materials.
One notable aspect of Shapeways is its strong emphasis on customization and personalization.
PCBWay
PCBWay is an online manufacturing service known for its expertise in producing high-quality printed circuit boards (PCBs) and electronic components, but it also offers metal 3D printing services. It provides a selection of metal materials, including aluminum and a few steels, ensuring versatility to meet diverse project requirements. CNC machining is also available.
In addition to its metal 3D printing capabilities, PCBWay offers various finishing options, such as spray painting and polishing. It also provide testing services to ensure the functionality and reliability of the manufactured PCBs and metal parts.
In addition to 3D printing, PCBWay offers a wide range of prototyping and manufacturing processes like CNC machining, vacuum casting, and injection molding. There are also options to add metal inserts to the parts, mark prints with serial numbers, or even assemble them. And to make your part even more aesthetic, the surface finishes offered include electroplating, spray painting, and sanding.
- Technology: SLM/Metal LPBF
- File format: STL, OBJ, STEP
- Shipping information: Instant quoting available, worldwide shipping with a typical processing time of 2-3 business days
Sculpteo
Sculpteo is an online 3D printing service that offers a range of additive manufacturing solutions. They provide a user-friendly platform where individuals and businesses can upload their 3D designs and have them printed in various materials and finishes.
Sculpteo offers a wide selection of metal 3D printing technologies, including FDM, SLM, binder jetting, and wax casting. In addition to 3D printing, Sculpteo provides other value-added services such as design optimization, file analysis, and post-processing options like painting, sanding, and dyeing. These services help customers refine and enhance their 3D printed objects.
Sculpteo operates globally and ships its products to customers worldwide. They have production facilities in Europe and the United States, ensuring efficient and timely delivery.
- Technology: DMLS/SLM/Metal LPBF, binder jetting, wax casting, FDM
- File format: Over 30 types accepted, although STL and OBJ are recommended
- Pricing information: Instant quoting available, worldwide shipping with a typical processing time of 10 business days
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