---
title: "Metal 3D Printing Service | DMLS & SLM | OpenSpindle"
description: "Get quotes for metal 3D printed parts from independent shops. DMLS and SLM fuse aluminum, stainless, titanium, and Inconel into fully dense end-use metal parts."
canonical: https://openspindle.com/capabilities/metal-3d-printing
---

# Metal 3D printing from independent shops

DMLS and SLM fuse fine metal powder with a laser into fully dense parts, for end-use metal geometry that machining cannot reach: conformal cooling channels, internal lattices, and lightweighted structures. Common metals are AlSi10Mg, 316L, 17-4 PH, Ti-6Al-4V, and Inconel 718. Parts are stress-relieved, cut off the build plate, and machined on critical faces. Upload a model and hear back from metal additive shops.

## Metal additive shops on OpenSpindle

Real shops running DMLS and SLM metal printers. See their equipment and get a competitive quote for your project.

[Browse all 3D printing shops](https://openspindle.com/manufacturers?capability=3D%20printing)

## How to design for Metal 3D Printing

Metal additive fuses fully dense parts but fights thermal stress. Design for supports, stress relief, and a machining allowance on critical faces.

| Design rule | Typical spec | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Typical tolerance | +/- 0.1 to 0.2 mm | As-built; critical features are machined tighter after printing. |
| Min wall thickness | 0.4 to 1.0 mm | Thin walls warp under thermal stress during the build. |
| Min feature size | 0.3 to 0.5 mm | Below the laser spot and powder size, detail is lost. |
| Support material | required | Overhangs and downskins below ~45 degrees need supports to anchor heat. |
| Unsupported overhang | >= 45 degrees from horizontal | Shallower overhangs sag or need supports that must be machined off. |
| Machining allowance | +0.5 mm on critical faces | Leave stock for post-machining bores and mating surfaces. |

Typical values from metal-powder datasheets; a shop confirms against its machine, material, and heat treatment.

## Metal 3D printing vs other processes

When another process fits better than metal additive.

| Process | Best for | Typical volume | Choose it over Metal 3D Printing when |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [CNC Machining](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/cnc-machining.md) | Tight tolerance, lower cost per part | Prototype to production | The geometry can be machined; CNC is cheaper, tighter, and faster for most metal parts. |
| [5-Axis Machining](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/5-axis-machining.md) | Complex machined geometry, one setup | Prototype to production | The complex shape is still subtractive-friendly and needs machined-grade tolerance and finish. |
| [SLS (Nylon)](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/sls-3d-printing.md) | Complex parts without metal properties | Low-volume production | A tough nylon part will do the job at a fraction of the cost. |
| Investment Casting | Higher-volume complex metal parts | 100+ | You are past low volumes and can amortize a pattern and tooling for lower unit cost. |

## Industries Served

- Aerospace & defense
- Medical devices
- Energy
- Automotive
- Robotics & automation
- Industrial / OEM

Metal additive shops on OpenSpindle include AS9100 and ISO 13485 facilities for flight and implant hardware.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is metal 3D printing?

Metal 3D printing (DMLS and SLM) fuses fine metal powder with a laser, layer by layer, into fully dense parts. It reaches geometry machining cannot, such as internal conformal cooling channels, lattices, and consolidated assemblies, for end-use metal parts.

### DMLS vs SLM: what is the difference?

Both are laser powder-bed fusion of metal. The terms are often used interchangeably; historically SLM fully melts the powder while DMLS sinters and melts, but modern machines fully densify either way. The material and post-processing matter more than the label.

### What metals can be 3D printed?

Common metals include AlSi10Mg (lightweight aluminum), 316L stainless, 17-4 PH stainless for high strength, Ti-6Al-4V titanium for aerospace and medical, Inconel 718 for hot sections, and cobalt-chrome for wear and medical parts. Tell the shop the alloy and heat treatment you need.

### What tolerance can metal 3D printing hold?

As-built tolerances are roughly +/- 0.1 to 0.2 mm. Metal additive parts are almost always stress-relieved and then machined on critical faces and bores to reach tighter tolerances, so leave a machining allowance on mating surfaces.

### Is metal 3D printing worth it vs machining?

For complex internal geometry, lightweighting, and consolidated assemblies, yes; those are hard or impossible to machine. For simpler solid parts, CNC machining is usually cheaper, tighter, and faster. Describe the geometry and volume and the shop advises which route fits.

## Other Capabilities

- [CNC Machining](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/cnc-machining.md)
- [5-Axis Machining](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/5-axis-machining.md)
- [3D Printing (overview)](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/3d-printing.md)
- [SLS 3D Printing](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/sls-3d-printing.md)

## Get metal 3D printing quotes

Upload a model and compare quotes from independent DMLS and SLM shops.