Short answer: Metal additive manufacturing (3D printing) builds parts layer by layer from powder or wire — SLM/DMLS with a laser, EBM with an electron beam, binder jetting for volume — to make geometries impossible to machine or cast, with full-density parts after hot isostatic pressing and heat treatment.
At a Glance
How Metal AM Works
Powder-bed fusion melts each thin layer with a laser (SLM/DMLS) or electron beam (EBM); binder jetting prints a binder into powder then sinters; directed-energy-deposition (DED) feeds wire or powder for repair and large builds. It complements Cnc Machining Supplier (often as a hybrid finish) and Metal Injection Molding Guide for very small parts, and extends the net-shape idea in Casting Supplier.
Materials and Properties
Common powders are 316L and 17-4 PH stainless (see Stainless Steel 304 Properties), Ti-6Al-4V (see Titanium Vs Steel), aluminium (see Aluminum 6061 Properties), Inconel and tool steels. As-built parts are porous and stressed, so they are hot-isostatically pressed (HIP) and heat-treated per Stress Relieving Vs Annealing; fatigue behaviour relates to Metal Fatigue Endurance Limit. Magnetic and corrosion notes use Metal Magnetism Guide and Galvanic Corrosion Guide.
Applications & Sourcing
AM makes aerospace brackets, turbine and implant parts, conformal-cooled tooling, lightweight lattices and spare parts on demand. It shines for low-volume, high-complexity, consolidation of assemblies. HXSCO supplies the base alloys as powder-ready stock and finished bar, and advises on AM-ready material and post-processing with certificates per Mill Test Certificate Guide.
Get a Quote
Tell HXSCO your requirements and we will respond with a competitive quote and lead time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Metal 3D printing (additive manufacturing) builds dense parts layer by layer from metal powder or wire using a laser, electron beam or binder, enabling geometries impossible to machine or cast.
Both use a laser on a powder bed; SLM fully melts the powder while DMLS sinters it to a near-full density — in practice the terms are often used interchangeably for laser powder-bed fusion.
After HIP and heat treatment, laser-powder-bed parts approach wrought properties, though anisotropy and porosity must be managed for fatigue-critical duty.
Yes. HXSCO supplies AM-ready stainless, titanium, aluminium and nickel-alloy stock and advises on powder grade and post-processing.
Build with HXSCO Metal AM
HXSCO supplies AM-ready stainless, titanium, aluminum and nickel-alloy stock and advises on metal additive manufacturing. Send your part and alloy for a quote.