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Metal 3D Printing Service

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Metal Binder Jetting 3D Printing Service

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How It Works
Materials
Finishes
Design Guidelines
Applications and Benefits
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Use Metal Binder Jetting for Fast and Affordable Metal Parts

Metal binder jetting technology is a 3D printing technology used to make complex metal parts with excellent mechanical properties. Our partnership with ExOne provides on-demand production capacity with the latest binder jet machines and high-performance metal alloys and composites.

Metal binder jetting is often used to produce metal binder parts at fraction of the cost of other metal processes with virtually no design limitations. Binder jetting machines have large build areas and produce parts at high speed, making it an excellent option for low to medium batch, rapid turn parts. The speed and affordability of binder jetting make it perfect for industries that need high strength parts such as industrial, automotive, consumer products, oil, and gas industries.

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    Xometry Metal Binder Jetting Printing Capabilities

    FeatureDescription
    Feature

    Build Size

    Description

    15" x 10" x 10" (400 x 250 x 250 mm)

    Feature

    General Tolerances

    Description

    Depending on the part’s size and geometry, parts may shrink 0.8%–2.5% during cooling. Internal geometries, such as slots and holes, may shrink as much as 5%

    Feature

    Layer Height

    Description

    0.004” (0.1 mm)

    Feature

    Surface Roughness

    Description

    30 to 200 µin Ra, depending on build orientation, finish, and material used for the build

    Feature

    Density

    Description

    95%+ for infiltrated, 98%+ for single alloy. Density is homogeneous.

    This table depicts the general tolerances for Metal Binder Jetting. Stresses during the build and other geometry considerations may cause deviation in tolerances and flatness. Part designs with thicker geometries, flat or broad parts, and parts with uneven wall thicknesses may be prone to significant deviations or warp. Improved tolerances may be possible with a manual quote review, after successful completion of a prototype build, and must be approved on a case-by-case basis. General tolerances apply before secondary finishing or post-processing unless otherwise specified. Please check out Xometry's Manufacturing Standards for more information on tolerances per process.

    What is the Metal Binder Jetting Process

    Metal binder jetting is an additive manufacturing metal printing technology that builds metal parts from a CAD file in a multi-step process. Binder jet machines first fuse layers of metal powder together with a binding agent. Once the part is bound, the resulting shape is called a green part and is left to cure. The cured form is then put into a furnace to sinter or be infiltrated with bronze. 


    Since binder jet parts are supported by unused powder on all sides of the part, this eliminates or minimizes the need for post-processing. Note that since most binder jet parts must undergo a furnace stage, parts are prone to shrinkage, are slightly porous, and fine features may not survive. Engineers should design binder jet parts with design-for-manufacturing principles in mind.

    Isometric illustration of the metal binder jetting process.

    Metal Binder Jetting Materials Available at Xometry

    Material NameDescriptionData Sheets
    Material Name

    X1 Metal 420i™

    Description

    420i is a matrix metal composite material composed of 60% 420 stainless steel and 40% bronze infiltrant. This material offers good mechanical properties and offers excellent wear resistance. Its properties behave similarly to 4140 steel. 420i is 95%+ dense.

    Data Sheets

    420i Data Sheet

    Material Name

    X1 Metal 316i™

    Description

    316i is a matrix metal composite material composed of 60% 316L stainless steel and 40% bronze infiltrant. This material offers good mechanical properties and offers excellent wear resistance. 316i is easier to tap and post-machine versus 420i. 316i is 95%+ dense.

    Data Sheets
    Material Name

    Single alloy 316L SS

    Description

    A 98%+ dense 316L stainless steel metal with superb corrosion resistance, and excellent feature details.

    Data Sheets

    Available Finishes

    420i binder jetting metal parts are a composite of steel and bronze. Because of this, material coloration will be bronze-silver on wear points. This can be enhanced or occluded, depending on finishing options such as media blasting, heat patinas, and vibratory media tumbling.


    Xometry offers six finishes for X1 Metal 420i and 316i: Zirblast, Tumble Polished, Medieval Pewter, Damascus Steel, Antique Bronze, and Wheat Penny. Single alloy metals are available with Zirblast.

      Xometry Image

      Finishes Gallery

      420i Zirblast
      Zirblast (Standard)
      420i Zirblast

      This standard finish results in a bright, matte, bronze-to-gray metallic surface. This is provided due to a ceramic bead blast (zirconium silicate bead).

      Tumble Polished
      420i Tumble Polished

      Parts are media tumbled to a semi-gloss polish. Part color is bright bronze with darker gray striations from features inaccessible to the media. Small gaps may still hold small grains of polishing media.

      Medieval Pewter
      420i Medieval Pewter

      A heat patina is applied, then parts are tumble polished resulting in a dark gray appearance with some bronze shine on protruded features. Parts are coated with a sealant before shipping.

      Damascus Steel
      420i Damascus Steel

      A heat patina is applied to a media blasted surface leaving an even, dark gray, and matte surface. Parts are coated with a sealant before shipping.

      Antique Bronze
      420i Antique Bronze

      A heat patina is applied after tumble polishing to produce a copper-like coloration with darker gray striations from features inaccessible to the media. Parts are coated with a sealant before shipping.

      Wheat Penny
      420i Wheat Penny

      A heat patina is applied and then media blasted, resulting in an even, matte, and copper-like finish. Parts are coated with a sealant before shipping.

      Binder Jetting Design Guidelines

      FeatureDesign Guide
      Feature

      Unsupported walls

      Design Guide

      1.0 mm (0.04'')

      Feature

      Supported walls

      Design Guide

      1.0 mm (0.04'')

      Feature

      Minimum feature size

      Design Guide

      1.0 mm (0.04'')

      Feature

      Minimum hole diameter

      Design Guide

      1.0 mm (0.04'')

      Feature

      Minimum escape hole diameter

      Design Guide

      4.0 mm (0.157'')

      Feature

      Minimum font size

      Design Guide

      Arial 26 or greater

      To see more design-for-manufacturing recommendations, view our Binder Jetting Design Guide.

      Best Applications for Metal Binder Jetting

      Rapid tooling

      Rapid Tooling

      Because binder jet metal parts are strong and affordable, they are widely used for rapid tooling, fixtures, and jigs.

      Fast parts and fast shipping

      Prototyping

      Binder jet metal 3D printing is affordable and fast, and therefore is often used to make rapid to fully functional prototypes.

      Digital manufacturing

      Mass Production

      Highly dense and durable metals make binder jet printing a fantastic choice for end-use products.

      Xomety X

      Ready to Get a Quote on Metal Binder Jet Parts?

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      Why Choose Xometry for Metal Binder Jet 3D Printing?

      Xometry Illustration

      Endless Options

      Choose from thousands of possible combinations of materials, finishes, tolerances, markings, and certifications for your order.

      Xometry Illustration

      Easy to Use

      Get your parts delivered right to your door without the hassle of sourcing, project management, logistics, or shipping.

      Xometry Illustration

      Vetted Network

      We are ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, and AS9100D certified. Only the top shops that apply to become Suppliers make it through our qualification process.

      metal binder jet custom part

      Download the Metal Binder Jetting Design Guide