Metal 3D printing (SLM)

    Metal 3D printing (SLM) is an additive manufacturing technology designed to produce end-use components of high complexity and precision. This process enables the realisation of geometries and internal structures that would be unattainable through traditional manufacturing methods, using high-performance metal alloys. At Ineo, we apply SLM technology to transform demanding production processes, ensuring parts with exceptional mechanical properties and superior weight and shape optimisation.

    Metal 3D printing (SLM)


    Additive Manufacturing technology allows the production of parts up to 60% lighter in weight than conventional processes.

    Some of the materials available in Metal Additive Manufacturing have higher resistance properties compared with machining or even casting materials.

    It is also a process that uses the exact amount of material needed; no waste or scrap is generated thus resulting is energy saving during the entire building process which is why it is considered a “Sustainable & Ecological” technology.

    Our advanced technical specialisation in metal 3D printing enables us to act as a strategic partner in solving the most complex engineering challenges. At Ineo, we offer comprehensive consultancy and expert management to deliver high-performance components that precisely meet the demands of your specific application. Rely on our technical judgement and experience with metal alloys to optimise your designs and ensure industrial results of the highest quality.

    Are you looking to enhance component performance through weight reduction and metal 3D printing? Would you like to discover how our technical management of SLM technology can help optimise the manufacturing of your most critical parts?

    Talk to our technical team

    What is metal 3D printing?

    Metal 3D printing uses metal alloys as a raw material in the form of powders and a high-powered laser device melts and joins the particles layer by layer until a 3D object is formed.

    +SLM 3D metal printing - Printed part - Ineo

    How does it work?

    A 3D CAD model of the part to be fabricated is needed to allow best build orientation; a 3D software program analyses the geometry and information is then organized and translated generating a slicing and hatching format which is then loaded onto the SLM machine with the order to build.

    In the metal printing machine, layers of metal powder are spread over one another whilst a high-power laser melts the metal particles and fuses them together simultaneously building the part and supports.

    When the part is built, the excess of metal powder is collected to be reused; depending on the metal alloy processed, the part is sometimes taken through secondary operations such as machining, thermal or isostatic procedures, surface finishing, etc.

    +SLM 3D metal printing - Printer - Ineo

    Applications of metal 3D printing

    It is the ideal technology for the fabrication of complex metal geometries as it provides almost unlimited design possibilities. The cost of manufacturing this type of parts depends on their volume and overall dimensions, not their complexity. We highlight some ideal applications for this technology:

    • Functional prototypes
    • Parts with complex geometry
    • Lightweight structures for use in aerospace and aeronautics
    • Inserts for tools and molds with internal cooling channels
    • Tools for production
    • Rigid housings
    • Pipelines
    • Spare parts
    • Heatsinks
    • Heat exchangers
    • Manufacture of short series of parts
    +SLM 3D metal printing - Printed part - Ineo
    +SLM 3D metal printing - Printed part - Ineo
    +SLM 3D metal printing - Printed part - Ineo
    +SLM 3D metal printing - Printed part - Ineo

    Advantages of metal 3D printing (SLM)

    Functionality

    The product design freedom offered by metal 3D printing makes it easy to improve the functional characteristics of parts by allowing design outside the subtractive box.

    Lightness

    Lighter designs are obtained through topological optimization that improves stiffness and weight, the use of internal lattice structures, emptying and the reduction of mechanical assemblies thanks to the manufacture of a set of parts at once.

    Consolidation

    Welding processes, critical during assembly, are eliminated as they require a very demanding inspection and quality control on a regular basis. It reduces assembly times, costs and optimizes the counting and management of parts.

    Fluids

    Production of optimized geometries for fluid flows, such as cooling or heating channels, which cannot be achieved with conventional manufacturing technologies now a day.

    Materials for metal 3D printing (SLM)

    It uses Steel alloys, hard steel, stainless steel, titanium, aluminum among other most common and highly demanded materials and from various applications such as medical, automotive, aerospace and industry in general.

    We offer various state-of-the-art materials for the manufacture of metal-printed parts. On this page we present the main materials with which we work and their most relevant characteristics, if you need a special material do not hesitate to contact us.
    AlSi10Mg

    It is an aluminum-based alloy, it has a wide application in the additive manufacturing industry, where prototype and series parts and components are manufactured.

    This alloy has good electrical and thermal conductivity with great resistance to corrosion, thanks to its mechanical properties and its very low weight makes it ideal for applications in automotive, engineering, aerospace, and industry in general.

    Ti6Al4V ELI (Grade 23)

    It is an alloy of titanium, aluminum, and vanadium, of high purity and one of the most used, it has a low content of oxygen, carbon and iron.

    This alloy has a high resistance to corrosion and is very suitable in the biomedical application of medical implants, automotive and aerospace. High resistance to fatigue and corrosion.


    HX (Hastelloy X)

    It is an alloy based on nickel, chromium, molybdenum, and iron.



    Very important alloy with an excellent combination of resistance to oxidation and high temperatures, where industries such as aerospace, energy and chemicals are its main fields of application. This material is characterized by its good ductility and high resistance to cracking.

    IN718

    It is a chromium-nickel alloy. This material has very good resistance to fatigue, traction and breakage.



    An important alloy in aviation, as aircraft engine parts can be made, just as in the gas industry, to make turbine parts that require high temperature resistance. It is a material with excellent qualities in resistance to oxidation. Its excellent quality allows its application in various industries from energy, petrochemical, and aerospace.

    1.2709

    It is a tool steel (Maraging Steel) with a high content of nickel alloy.




    It has many applications thanks to its high performance and resistance. Some outstanding characteristics are its tenacity and resistance to traction among others. Its field of application to mention a few is the automotive, aerospace and injection molds.


    316L

    Stainless steel, a material with high acceptance in the world of additive manufacturing due to its ease of processing and use as a starting point for getting started in this technology.

    Stainless steel is well known for its good mechanical properties and its great resistance to corrosion, at high temperatures, which gives it a use in various sectors such as the automotive, environments susceptible to corrosion and the food industry, to name a few.


    FAQs - Metal 3D Printing (SLM) & Industrial Applications Insights

    • What is Selective Laser Melting (SLM)?
      SLM is an additive manufacturing process where a high-power laser fully melts metal powder layer by layer to create dense, high-strength and complex metal parts.
    • What types of parts are produced with metal 3D printing?
      SLM is used for functional prototypes, aerospace components, tooling inserts, heat exchangers, lightweight structures and low-volume production parts.
    • Which materials are used in SLM manufacturing?
      Common materials include aluminium alloys, titanium (Ti6Al4V), stainless steel (316L), tool steels and high-performance alloys such as Inconel and Hastelloy.
    • What are the advantages of SLM compared to traditional manufacturing?
      It enables complex geometries, weight reduction through lattice structures, part consolidation and reduced material waste compared to machining or casting.
    • Are SLM parts suitable for final industrial use?
      Yes, SLM parts are fully dense and can be used as end-use components in demanding industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical and energy.
    • Can Ineo ship metal 3D printed parts internationally?
      Yes, Ineo delivers SLM parts from Barcelona, Spain, to clients across Europe and worldwide with controlled logistics and packaging.

    Do you need help for your project?

    If you need light metal parts, complex parts manufactured quickly and cheaply or parts with mechanical properties similar to castings, or need more information, contact us.
    Quote request
    Contact
    +34 937 337 000
    Email
    Contacto

    National and International Delivery Times for 3D Printing Services

    Need your parts ASAP?

    Ineo provides high-speed 3D printing for professional applications, guaranteeing fast-turnaround deliveries with optimized lead times.

    We manufacture locally in Terrassa (Barcelona, Spain) and distribute worldwide, offering streamlined production for end-use parts, prototypes, functional testing, and urgent technical series.

    📦 No minimum order quantity – Guaranteed delivery times – Technical support

    3D Printing Delivery Times in Spain:
    Small-Scale Parts

    • Metal Powder Sintering (SLM) → 1-3 weeks
    Deliveries to Canary Islands, Balearics, Ceuta & Melilla:

    Shipments to these regions may require 1-5 additional business days due to logistics and (for Canary Islands) customs processing.

    International 3D Printing Deliveries:

    Orders outside Spain require extended lead times. Additional delivery time varies by destination country and local logistics/customs factors.

    For precise international delivery estimates, contact our customer service team.

    Ready to manufacture your parts?

    Request a quote Call us Send us an email

    INEO PROTOTIPOS S.L.

    C/Avenc del Daví, 6 Pol.Ind.Can Petit

    Terrassa, Barcelona 08227

    Tel. +34 937 337 000

    Email: contact@ineo.es 

    Web: https://www.ineo.es

    Found this useful? Share it:

    JSON Schema