Metal 3D printing: online metal additive manufacturing service
FAMA 3D offers an online metal 3D printing service based on industrial LPBF (Laser Powder Bed Fusion) technology: upload your 3D file, get an instant quote and receive the finished part, from a single prototype to a small production run. No machine to buy, no metal powder to handle, no plant to maintain: just the metal part you need, with the tolerances and finish you need.
We print in 316L stainless steel, Ti6Al4V titanium and aluminium, for applications ranging from aerospace to medical, from automotive to jewellery. On this page you will find everything you need to understand how metal 3D printing works, how much it costs and when it makes more sense than traditional machining. If your file is ready, go straight to the online quote.
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What is metal 3D printing?
Metal 3D printing, also known as metal additive manufacturing, is a process that builds a component layer by layer from metal powder, melted by a laser according to the geometry of the 3D model. The result is a dense metal part with mechanical properties comparable to those of conventionally processed material.
The difference from conventional machining lies in the principle: milling and turning remove material from a solid block, whereas 3D printing adds it only where it is needed. This makes it possible to produce geometries that would be impossible or uneconomical with cutting tools: curved internal channels, lightweight lattice structures, thin walls, and single parts that integrate what previously required an assembly.
How metal 3D printing works: the LPBF process
The technology we use is laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). From file to finished part, the process runs through these stages:
- 3D model design in CAD software, following the rules of additive manufacturing (orientation, supports, minimum wall thickness).
- File preparation: the model is sliced into thin layers and the required support structures are generated.
- Powder recoating: a roller or blade spreads a uniform layer of metal powder over the build platform.
- Laser melting: a high-power laser selectively melts the powder along the layer’s profile, in a controlled inert-gas atmosphere.
- Platform lowering and repetition of steps 3 and 4, layer after layer, until the full height of the component is reached.
- Depowdering and separation: the part is freed from unmelted powder and cut from the platform by band saw or wire EDM.
- Post-processing: support removal, stress-relief heat treatment where required, and surface finishing.
Powder handling, atmosphere control and melting parameters are the heart of the process: they determine material density, surface quality and repeatability. This is why every material we offer has been tested in-house, with parameters developed specifically for each alloy.
Metal 3D printing technologies compared
Several technologies fall under the name of metal 3D printing. These are the main ones, and when each makes sense:
| Technology | How it works | Strengths | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| LPBF / SLM (Laser Powder Bed Fusion, Selective Laser Melting) | A laser fully melts the metal powder layer by layer. | Near-100% density, high mechanical properties, excellent detail. | Functional prototypes and end-use parts with complex geometry: the technology used by FAMA 3D. |
| DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) | The laser sinters the powder grains; today the term is used in practice as a synonym for LPBF with alloys. | Good balance between mechanical properties and cost. | Titanium alloys and stainless steels, industrial components. |
| Metal Binder Jetting | A binder bonds the powder; the part is then sintered in a furnace. | High speed, low cost at high volumes. | Large batches of small parts with less demanding mechanical requirements. |
| DED (Directed Energy Deposition) | Powder or wire is melted by an energy beam directly at the deposition point. | Suitable for large parts and repairs. | Restoring worn components, large structures. |
The choice depends on the required mechanical properties, the part geometry, the quantity and the budget. For most prototyping and small-batch applications, LPBF offers the best balance of quality, accuracy and cost.
Materials available for metal 3D printing
Every alloy behaves differently when melted and needs dedicated parameters. These are the materials in our service:
| Material | Properties | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel 1.4404 / 316L | Excellent corrosion resistance, high tensile strength, good stiffness. | Watches and jewellery, functional components, housings and accessories, parts for the food and chemical industries, non-corroding automotive components. |
| Aluminium 3.2382 (coming soon) | Light weight, high dynamic load capacity, simplified post-processing. | Functional prototypes, motorsport, aerospace applications, mechanical engineering. |
| Titanium Ti64 grade 23 / Ti6Al4V | Excellent strength-to-weight ratio, high fracture toughness, corrosion resistance, biocompatibility. | Industrial components, racing, aerospace, implants and prostheses. |
| Tool steel 1.2709 / M300 (coming soon) | Heat-treatable up to approximately 54 HRC, good thermal conductivity compared with other steels. | Injection and die-casting mould inserts, tooling, spare parts and high-wear components. |
When selecting a material, consider the required mechanical and corrosion resistance, weight, operating temperature, ease of post-processing and, of course, powder cost. If you are unsure which alloy suits your project, say so in your quote request and we will recommend the most suitable option. All the materials we work with are listed on our 3D printing materials page.
Applications: where metal 3D printing is used
Metal additive manufacturing is now a fully fledged production technology, not just a prototyping tool. The sectors where we use it most:
- Aerospace: lightweight brackets, engine and turbine components, parts with internal cooling channels.
- Medical: patient-specific titanium implants and prostheses, surgical instruments, custom guides.
- Automotive and motorsport: functional prototypes, pre-series parts, lightweight components for racing.
- Energy and process plants: components resistant to high temperature and pressure, compact heat exchangers.
- Jewellery and watchmaking: cases, precision components and stainless steel objects with geometries impossible to make by hand.
- Tooling and moulds: inserts with conformal cooling, special tools, spare parts no longer in the catalogue.
- Mechanical industry: prototypes, production fixtures, small batches of functional parts.
Advantages and limits of metal 3D printing
Why more and more companies choose metal 3D printing:
- Geometric freedom: internal channels, lattices, undercuts and organic shapes without tooling constraints.
- No tooling: no moulds or fixtures, so short lead times and design changes at almost no cost.
- Lightweighting: topology optimisation removes material where it does no work while keeping strength.
- Part consolidation: one printed part instead of several assembled components.
- Less waste: unmelted powder is recovered and reused.
To be fair, the limits too: at high volumes the cost per part remains higher than casting or machining from solid; the as-built surface is rougher than a machined one and functional surfaces need finishing; maximum dimensions are constrained by the machine’s build volume. In many projects the best solution is hybrid: print the complex geometry and precision-machine only the areas that require it.
How much does metal 3D printing cost?
The price of metal 3D printing depends on a few key factors: the chosen material (stainless steel is the most economical alloy, titanium the most expensive), the volume of material actually melted, the part’s footprint on the platform, the amount of support required, the finish requested and the number of parts. As an order of magnitude, prices start from around €50 for small, simple components and reach several thousand euros for large, complex parts.
A few measures that reduce cost without compromising function:
- hollow out solid areas that carry no load, or use lattice structures;
- orient the part to reduce supports and build height;
- avoid over-sizing: wall thickness and radii only where needed;
- group several parts in the same build.
You do not need to wait for an accurate estimate of your component: our online quoting tool calculates the price in real time from your 3D file. If you would like to understand better how the price is built up, we have written a guide on 3D printing prices.
Metal 3D printer: buy one or use a service?
Anyone looking for a metal 3D printer soon discovers that an industrial LPBF machine costs several hundred thousand euros, and that the printer is only part of the investment. You also need a suitable room, an inert-gas supply, powder sieving and recovery systems, personal protective equipment for operators, a furnace for heat treatment, a saw or wire EDM to cut parts from the platform, and staff trained on the parameters of each alloy.
That is why, except for continuous high-volume production, relying on a specialised service is almost always the more rational choice:
- you pay only for the parts you need, with no fixed costs;
- you have access to several materials without buying and qualifying powders;
- process parameters are already developed and validated;
- post-processing and quality control are included in the workflow.
Our service exists for exactly this reason: to give companies, design studios and private customers industrial-grade metal additive manufacturing with the simplicity of an online order.
The FAMA 3D metal 3D printing service
FAMA 3D (Fantinelli Additive Manufacturing) grew out of Fantinelli Srl, a company with a century of experience in precision mechanics. For us, metal 3D printing is the natural evolution of that craft: we combine the geometric freedom of additive manufacturing with the tolerance and dimensional-control culture of traditional machining.
We offer metal 3D printing as a contract manufacturing service to professionals and companies that want to produce metal components for their own customers without investing in machinery or in-house expertise. We handle the entire process, from file analysis to delivery of the finished part, and treat the projects entrusted to us with full confidentiality.
Finishes and quality control
A freshly extracted LPBF part has a slightly rough surface, typical of the powder bed. Depending on the application, we offer several finishes: sandblasting for a uniform matte surface, polishing for aesthetic or contact parts, coatings to increase wear or corrosion resistance, as well as machining of functional surfaces that require tight tolerances. Every component is checked with measuring instruments to verify dimensions, geometry and compliance with specifications. To know what to expect in terms of accuracy, read our guide to 3D printing tolerances.
How to order in three steps
- Upload your 3D file to the quoting tool for businesses or for individuals. If you are not sure which format to use, our guide to 3D print files will help.
- Choose material and finish and see your quote immediately.
- Confirm the order: we produce, inspect and ship the component.
Frequently asked questions about metal 3D printing
Which metals can be 3D printed?
LPBF technology processes stainless steels, titanium alloys, aluminium alloys, tool steels and, more generally, most alloys available in powder form. Our service offers 316L stainless steel and Ti6Al4V titanium, with aluminium and tool steel coming soon.
Is a 3D-printed part as strong as one machined from solid?
Yes, provided the process is under control. Laser powder bed fusion produces parts with near-100% density and mechanical properties comparable to those of wrought or cast material. For the most demanding applications, heat treatments are applied to homogenise the microstructure and remove residual stress.
Can I order a single part?
Yes. The service is designed for single prototypes as well as small batches: there is no minimum order and the price is calculated on the actual part.
Which file do I need to send?
A 3D file of the component, for example in STL or STEP format. The quoting tool analyses it automatically and calculates price and feasibility.
What surface finish does a 3D-printed metal part have?
As built, it shows the typical roughness of the powder bed; sandblasting or polishing produces uniform or bright surfaces, while mating areas with tight tolerances can be machined after printing.
Do you have a component to make in metal? Upload your file and get an instant quote, or contact us to discuss your project with one of our engineers.
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