01 Why Choose 3D Printing from BRM Metal

Value propositions tailored for different stakeholders

For Business Owners

  • Zero Tooling Cost: No mold or fixture investment required

  • Design Freedom: Create impossible geometries with lattices and conformal channels

  • Rapid Iteration: Go from concept to part in days, not weeks

  • On-Demand Production: Reduce inventory with just-in-time manufacturing

For Procurement Teams

  • Low MOQ: Start with single pieces for validation

  • Consistent Quality: ISO certified processes with full traceability

  • Material Variety: 50+ metal and plastic options

  • Fast Turnaround: Standard lead time 5-10 days

For Engineers

  • Topology Optimization: Lighter parts without compromising strength

  • Conformal Cooling: Improve mold performance with internal channels

  • Assembly Consolidation: Print multiple parts as single piece

  • Customization: Cost-effective personalized products

For Finance Teams

  • Reduced Waste: Near-net-shape with <5% material usage

  • No Inventory: Print on demand, eliminate obsolescence

  • Supply Chain Simplification: Single source for complex parts

  • Competitive Advantage: Faster time-to-market

Download Free Guide Get Free Quote

02 3D Printing Technologies We Offer

Metal Additive Manufacturing

BRM Metal offers comprehensive 3D printing services using the latest metal additive manufacturing technologies. Our capabilities range from high-precision laser-based processes to cost-effective binder jetting, ensuring we can meet your specific requirements for quality, speed, and cost.

Our Technology Portfolio:

  • SLM/DMLS: Full density parts with excellent mechanical properties

  • EBM: High build rates for titanium alloys

  • Binder Jetting: Cost-effective for larger parts and series production

  • DED: Repair and coating applications

5+AM Machines
250×mm Build Size
99.9%Density (SLM)
5-10dLead Time

03 3D Printing Process Flow

Design & CAD

Prepare 3D model in STL, STEP, or native CAD format

  • Model optimization

  • Orientation analysis

  • Support planning

File Preparation

Slicing software prepares build file with optimal parameters

  • Layer thickness: 20-50μm

  • Build direction optimization

  • Support structure generation

3D Printing

Material is melted/fused layer by layer

  • Laser/E-beam melting

  • Inert atmosphere control

  • Real-time monitoring

Post-Processing

Remove supports, heat treat, and finish

  • Support removal

  • Hot isostatic pressing

  • Surface finishing

Inspection

Quality verification and documentation

  • Dimensional inspection

  • Density testing

  • Material certification

04 3D Printing Technologies Comparison

Compare Our Metal Additive Manufacturing Technologies

TechnologySLM / DMLSEBMBinder JettingDED
Density99.5%+99%92-98%99%+
Surface FinishRa 5-15μmRa 8-20μmRa 10-25μmRa 15-30μm
Precision±0.05mm±0.1mm±0.2mm±0.2mm
Build Size250×250×300mm200×200×200mm400×400×400mmVaries
SpeedMediumFastFastSlow
CostMediumHighLowMedium
Best ForComplex, precise partsTitanium aerospaceLarge parts, seriesRepair, cladding

05 Materials for 3D Printing

Stainless Steel & Tool Steel

Stainless Steel

316LCorrosion resistance, marine/medical
304LGeneral purpose corrosion resistance
17-4 PHHigh strength, precipitation hardening
15-5 PHBetter toughness than 17-4 PH

Tool Steel

H13Tool & die, hot work applications
M2High-speed cutting tools
D2Cold work, wear resistance
Maraging SteelUltra-high strength applications

Titanium Alloys

Aerospace / Medical

Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5)

Tensile Strength900-1100 MPa
Yield Strength800-950 MPa
Elongation10-15%
ApplicationsAerospace, medical implants

Ti-6Al-4V ELI (Grade 23)

Tensile Strength860-1000 MPa
Yield Strength795-875 MPa
Elongation10-15%
ApplicationsMedical implants, FDA approved

Aluminum Alloys

AlSi10Mg

Tensile Strength380-450 MPa
Yield Strength250-300 MPa
Elongation3-5%
ApplicationsAutomotive, aerospace brackets

AlSi7Mg

Tensile Strength320-400 MPa
Yield Strength220-280 MPa
Elongation4-8%
ApplicationsLightweight structures

Superalloys & Specialty Materials

High Performance

Nickel Superalloys

Inconel 625Corrosion, high temp (650°C)
Inconel 718Aerospace, high strength
Hastelloy XExtreme environments

Cobalt Chrome

CoCrMoMedical implants, wear resistant
CoCrWCutting tools, high hardness
MP35NMedical devices, springs

06 Design Constraints & Capabilities

What 3D printing can and cannot do - The "Traffic Light" Guide
Green: Fully achievable with 3D printing
Yellow: Limited or requires special consideration
Red: Not recommended or requires alternative approach

Min Wall Thickness

0.3mm achievable

SLM/DMLS can print walls as thin as 0.3mm. Recommended minimum for structural parts is 0.5-1.0mm.

Min Hole Diameter

0.3mm possible

Through holes as small as 0.3mm can be printed. Holes below 1mm may require drilling for accuracy.

Undercuts

Unlimited

3D printing excels at undercuts - no tool withdrawal issues. Complex internal geometries are a key advantage.

Internal Cavities

Direct printing

Complex internal channels, conformal cooling passages, and lattice structures are printed directly - no assembly needed.

Threads

Printable

Internal threads can be printed directly. External threads may need post-machining for precision requirements.

Draft Angle

0 degree OK

No draft angle required. Vertical walls print perfectly. Support structures handle overhangs automatically.

Tolerance

0.05-0.15mm

As-built tolerance of 0.05-0.15mm (SLM). Post-machining can achieve tighter tolerances for mating surfaces.

Surface Roughness

Ra 5-20μm

Layer-by-layer printing creates "staircase" effect. Ra 5-15μm typical for SLM. Polishing or machining can improve.

Lattice Structures

Additive advantage

True additive manufacturing benefit. Gyroid, honeycomb, and custom lattices for weight reduction up to 80%.

Metal Inserts

Pre-insertion OK

Metal inserts can be placed during printing with careful pre-heating. Press-fit inserts are common practice.

Deep Holes

No limitation

Deep blind holes, bores, and channels are printed directly. No drill reach limitations or complex tooling.

Large Flat Surfaces

Risk of warping

Large flat areas perpendicular to build plate may warp. Optimize orientation or add stiffening ribs.

Design Best Practices

  • Build Orientation Matters: Optimize part orientation to minimize support requirements and reduce surface roughness on critical surfaces.

  • Support Structures: Overhanging features require support. Design for accessibility or consider splitting complex parts.

  • Wall Thickness Consistency: Avoid sudden thickness changes to minimize residual stress and warping.

  • Escape Holes: Add drain holes for unreleased powder inside closed cavities.

  • Embrace AM Design: Think differently - use lattice structures, conformal channels, and part consolidation.

07 Surface Treatment Compatibility

Choose the right post-processing for your material and application
Surface TreatmentAlSi10Mg316LTi-6Al-4VInconel 718Notes
Anodizing (Type II/III) Yes N/A Limited N/AOnly for aluminum alloys. Creates protective oxide layer with color options.
Electroplating Yes Yes Difficult DifficultNi, Cr, Au plating available. May require base coating for titanium.
E-coat (ED Coating) Yes Yes Limited YesExcellent corrosion protection. Even coating on complex geometries.
PVD Coating Yes Yes Yes YesTiN, CrN, DLC coatings for wear resistance. High hardness, thin layer.
Polishing Yes Yes Yes YesManual or vibratory polishing. Can achieve Ra 0.2-0.4μm mirror finish.
Shot Blasting Yes Yes Yes YesSurface peening for stress relief and improved fatigue life.
Heat Treatment Yes Yes Yes YesStress relief, age hardening, HIP (Hot Isostatic Pressing) for density.
Heat Anodizing (Titanium) N/A N/A Yes N/AColor anodizing for titanium. Rainbow, blue, gold, black options.
Laser Marking Yes Yes Yes YesPermanent, high-contrast marking. Ideal for part ID and QR codes.

Best for Aluminum

Anodizing is the go-to treatment for AlSi10Mg. Creates hard, wear-resistant surface with optional color. E-coat provides excellent corrosion protection.

Best for Stainless

316L parts often used as-built or with passivation. E-coat for harsh environments. Polishing for medical/food applications.

Best for Titanium

Heat anodizing for color. Shot peening for fatigue improvement. PVD coating for wear resistance. Passivation for medical use.

08 Cost Reference & MOQ

Transparent pricing - No tooling costs, low minimum order quantity

No Tooling Fee

$0

Unlike CNC or casting, 3D printing requires no molds, dies, or fixtures. Design changes are free.

Minimum Order

1 pc

No MOQ. Order single prototypes or full production runs. Same quality at any quantity.

Sample Lead Time

1-2 weeks

Design review, printing, and basic post-processing included

Production Lead Time

1-2 weeks

For batch orders. Larger quantities may require additional time.

Shipping Time

1-3 weeks

Express (3-5 days) or standard (7-14 days) options available

3D Printing vs Traditional Manufacturing - Volume Pricing

Unlike traditional manufacturing where costs drop significantly with volume, 3D printing maintains relatively stable pricing. This makes it ideal for low-to-medium volume production.

1 piece
¥100%
10 pieces
¥75%
100 pieces
¥55%
1000 pieces
¥40%
Volume discounts apply. Binder jetting offers better economics for very high volumes (>500 pcs).

Quick Selection Guide

Best Choice1-50 pcs

Complex geometries, prototypes, aerospace/medical parts with lattices. SLM/DMLS recommended.

Economical50-500 pcs

Functional parts, automotive brackets, tooling inserts. Consider binder jetting for cost savings.

High Volume>500 pcs

Production parts, consumer products. Binder jetting or hybrid approach (3D printed patterns for casting).

09 Common Application Industries

Aerospace

  • Lightweight brackets and housings

  • Turbine blade cooling channels

  • Fuel nozzle components

  • Structural lattice structures

  • Satellite bracketry

Medical

  • Custom implants (hip, knee, spine)

  • Patient-specific surgical guides

  • Dental prosthetics

  • Orthopedic instruments

  • Prototypes for medical devices

Automotive

  • Lightweight suspension components

  • Custom tooling and jigs

  • Conformal cooled molds

  • Performance exhaust components

  • Rapid prototyping

Molds & Tooling

  • Injection mold inserts

  • Conformal cooling channels

  • Die cast tooling

  • Custom fixtures

  • Direct metal tooling

Robotics

  • Lightweight robot arms

  • Custom end effectors

  • Humanoid joint components

  • Drone structural parts

  • Optimized linkages

Research & Development

  • Functional prototypes

  • Complex mechanisms

  • Lattice structures research

  • Material development

  • Educational models

10 Why Choose BRM Metal for 3D Printing?

ISO Certified Quality

ISO 9001, IATF 16949 certified. Full material traceability and lot control for aerospace and medical applications.

Multiple Technologies

SLM, DMLS, EBM, and binder jetting capabilities. We recommend the optimal process for your requirements.

Material Specialists

50+ qualified metal materials. In-house powder testing and qualification. Custom alloy development available.

Complete Post-Processing

HIP, heat treatment, machining, EDM, surface finishing, polishing, and coating all under one roof.

Fast Turnaround

Quote within 24 hours. Standard lead time 5-10 days. Expedited service available for urgent requirements.

Design Support

Free DFM analysis. Topology optimization. AM-specific design guidelines to maximize part performance.

11 Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum wall thickness for 3D printed parts?

Recommended minimum wall thickness is 0.5mm for SLM/DMLS and 1.0mm for binder jetting. However, we recommend 1.0-2.0mm for most applications to ensure structural integrity.

Can 3D printed parts match forged or cast parts in strength?

Yes, properly designed and post-processed SLM/DMLS parts can achieve mechanical properties comparable to or exceeding wrought materials. We offer HIP treatment to ensure full density and optimal properties.

What surface finish can I expect?

As-printed surface finish is typically Ra 5-15μm for SLM. Additional post-processing can achieve Ra 0.2μm with machining/polishing. We'll recommend the appropriate finish for your application.

How do I design for 3D printing?

We provide free DFM support. Key considerations include: build orientation, support requirements, minimum feature sizes, and avoiding large flat surfaces perpendicular to the build plate.

What is the maximum part size?

SLM: 250×250×300mm. Binder Jetting: 400×400×400mm. For larger parts, we can discuss splitting and assembly or use alternative processes.

Do you offer production runs?

Yes, binder jetting is particularly cost-effective for series production. We also offer tooling-based production for very high volumes. We'll recommend the best approach for your quantity.

Ready to Explore 3D Printing for Your Project?

Upload your 3D model for a free quote and DFM review. Our additive manufacturing experts will recommend the optimal technology for your needs.

Contact: Cindy | Phone: +86 021 5512 8901 | Email: sales1@brm-metal.com

3D Printed Parts Gallery

Titanium Lattice Structure

  • Material: Ti-6Al-4V

  • Technology: SLM

  • Weight Reduction: 70%

Conformal Cooling Mold

  • Material: H13 Tool Steel

  • Technology: SLM

  • Cycle Time: -25%

Custom Medical Implant

  • Material: Ti-6Al-4V ELI

  • ISO 13485 Facility

  • Patient-Specific