SLM 3D Printing Service from a Trusted China Manufacturer

We build strong, fully dense metal parts straight from your CAD file. As a China SLM 3D printing manufacturer and supplier, our factory melts aluminum, steel, titanium, and superalloys layer by layer, with no tooling and no hard-to-machine limits. Upload your CAD file and get a factory-direct quote with free DFM feedback within 24 hours.

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ISO 9001 Certified Factory Quote in 24 Hours NDA Protected Density 99%+

The Problem We Solve

Why Metal Parts Get Stuck

These are the problems buyers tell us about every week. Here is how we take each one off your desk.

Shape Too Complex to Machine

Inside channels, lattice cores, and hidden cavities cannot be cut by a tool. SLM grows the part in metal, so these shapes are easy.

Tooling Cost Too High

Die casting and forging need costly molds and long lead times. SLM needs no tooling, so you get parts in days, not months.

Parts Warp or Crack

Fast heating and cooling leaves stress in the metal. We plan orientation, supports, and heat treatment to keep parts straight.

Rough, Pitted Surfaces

Metal powder leaves a grainy skin. We remove supports, clean the powder, and add polishing or machining for a clean finish.

Wrong Metal, Wrong Strength

A soft part that wears out, or a heavy part that should be light. We match the alloy to your load, heat, and weight needs.

Files Not Kept Safe

Your design is your business. We treat every file as confidential, sign NDAs on request, and never share your data.

SLM metal 3D printing at YiguProto China manufacturer
SLM metal 3D printing at YiguProto: precision, speed, and quality in one place

Our Solution

One China Manufacturer, One Accountable Partner

From your CAD file to a finished, heat-treated metal part — all under one roof.

With YiguProto as your China manufacturer and supplier, you get one team that owns the whole job. No hand-offs, no blame games, no hidden costs.

  • Factory-direct pricing — no middleman markup
  • Free DFM feedback before you place the order
  • Fully dense parts — 99%+ density, close to wrought metal
  • 30+ metal options from aluminum to Inconel
  • Full post-processing — heat treatment, CNC, polishing, anodizing
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Overview

What Is SLM 3D Printing?

A way to build solid metal parts from powder — layer by layer, with no molds.

How It Works in Plain Words

A thin layer of metal powder is spread across a build plate. A high-power laser melts the powder where the part should be solid. The plate drops a tiny step, a fresh layer of powder is spread, and the laser melts the next slice. This repeats until the part is complete.

The whole build sits in a sealed chamber filled with inert gas, so the hot metal does not oxidize. When it is done, we cut the part off the plate, remove the supports, clean out loose powder, and heat treat it for stable, strong results.

When to Choose SLM

  • Complex internal shapes — cooling channels, lattice cores, and undercuts
  • Lightweight parts — strong metal with less weight
  • Small to mid batches — no tooling cost to pay back
  • One-piece builds — replace an assembly of many parts with one
  • Hard metals — titanium and Inconel that are tough to cut
  • Fast metal prototypes — real metal parts in days, not months

Capabilities

SLM 3D Printing Capabilities at a Glance

Real numbers so you can spec your part with confidence.

FeatureCapability
ProcessSelective Laser Melting (SLM) — powder bed fusion
Tolerance±0.2 mm (+ 0.15% over 100 mm)
Layer thickness30 – 50 microns
Max part size320 × 320 × 400 mm
Minimum wall1 mm (up to 2.5 mm for large flat parts)
Minimum hole1.5 mm
Density99%+ (fully dense)
Surface (as built)Ra 3.2 – 6.3 microns (polished to Ra 1.6)
MaterialsAluminum, steel, titanium, superalloy, copper
Lead time3 – 8 business days

What We Deliver

What Our SLM 3D Printing Service Covers

Everything you need from one China factory — no extra vendors to manage.

01

Printability Check

We test your model for thin walls, steep overhangs, and trapped powder before printing.

02

Smart Orientation & Supports

We angle the part and add metal supports to reduce warping and protect key faces.

03

Laser Melting

Your part is built layer by layer in a sealed chamber with inert gas, for clean, dense metal.

04

Plate Removal & Support Cutting

We cut the part off the build plate and remove supports by hand or with a band saw.

05

Powder Cleaning

We clear loose powder from channels and holes so your part is clean and safe to handle.

06

Heat Treatment

Stress-relief heat treatment removes internal stress and keeps the part stable.

07

CNC Finishing

We machine critical faces, bores, and threads to hit tight fit and finish needs.

08

Surface & Color

Polishing, sandblasting, anodizing, plating, and painting for the final look.

Not sure which metal fits your part? Talk to an engineer for a free review.

Materials

Metals We Print

Pick the alloy that fits your load, heat, and weight needs. We help you choose for free.

AlSi10Mg · 6061 · 290–300 MPa

Aluminum

Light and strong with good corrosion resistance. Great for aerospace and auto parts where weight matters.

316L · 17-4PH · 530–1230 MPa

Stainless Steel

Tough, corrosion-resistant, and heat-tolerant. A top pick for functional parts and medical devices.

Ti-6Al-4V · 980 MPa

Titanium

Very strong, very light, and body-friendly. Used for implants, aerospace, and high-end hardware.

Inconel 718 · CuCrZr · up to 980 MPa

Superalloy & Copper

Inconel for extreme heat and corrosion. Copper alloys for high electrical and thermal conductivity.

Need tool steel, maraging steel, or a custom alloy? Ask our engineers — we source it.

Post-Processing

Finishes That Make It a Real Part

Printed metal comes out grainy. These steps turn it into the part you can ship.

Heat Treatment

Removes internal stress from the laser melt and improves strength and stability.

CNC Machining

Faces, bores, and threads are cut to tight tolerance for a precise fit.

Polishing & Tumbling

Smooths the surface from Ra 3.2 down to about Ra 1.6 for a clean look.

Sand & Bead Blasting

A fine, even matte skin that hides print texture and preps for coating.

Anodizing & Plating

Hard, colorful anodized layers for aluminum, or plating for wear and looks.

Painting & Dyeing

Color matching and spray paint for a finished, product-ready appearance.

Quality Control

Checked at Every Step, Not Just the End

Good parts are made, not sorted. Here is how we keep quality steady.

Powder Control

We use clean, high-purity powder and track each batch for repeatable results.

Process Monitoring

Laser power, layer thickness, and chamber gas are watched on every build.

Density Check

Parts reach 99%+ density, with samples checked to confirm full fusion.

Dimensional Reports

Critical dimensions are measured with CMM and recorded for your records.

Material Certificates

Mill certificates and test reports are provided for your traceability needs.

Pre-Shipment Review

Photos and reports go to you before the box leaves the factory.

Industries

Industries We Serve

Our China factory prints metal parts for teams in many fields.

Aerospace & Defense

Lightweight brackets, turbine parts, and heat exchangers.

Medical & Dental

Custom titanium implants and patient-specific dental parts.

Automotive

Engine parts, lightweight brackets, and cooling inserts.

Industrial Tooling

Conformal cooling inserts for molds and custom jigs and fixtures.

Robotics & Automation

Strong, light arms, joints, and end-of-arm tooling.

Energy & Chemical

Heat-resistant parts for hot, corrosive working conditions.

How It Works

From CAD File to Finished Metal Part in 6 Steps

1

Upload Your Design

Send STEP, IGES, or STL files. We keep it private.

2

Get a Quote in 24h

Free DFM review and a clear, itemized price.

3

Plan & Support

We orient the part and add metal supports for a clean build.

4

Laser Melting

Your part is built layer by layer in an inert gas chamber.

5

Heat Treat & Finish

We remove supports, heat treat, and machine or polish as needed.

6

Ship to Your Door

Worldwide shipping with tracking and reports.

Design Tips

Design Tips for Better SLM Parts

Small changes in your CAD cut cost and improve quality. We check all of these for free.

Keep Overhangs Above 45°

Steeper overhangs need more supports. Angles over 45° from the plate print cleaner and cheaper.

Use Teardrop Channels

For holes over 8 mm, a teardrop or diamond shape holds itself up and lets powder drain out.

Keep Walls at 1 mm+

Thin walls can crack. Large flat parts should use 2.5 mm walls for strength and to resist warping.

Add Fillets (R0.5+)

Sharp inner corners trap stress. A small fillet spreads the load and prevents cracks.

Plan for Powder Removal

Hollow parts need a way out for trapped powder. We help place escape holes in hidden spots.

Leave Machining Stock

Need a tight fit or a smooth face? Leave a little extra and we will machine it back to size.

Send your file and we will return a free DFM report with clear, plain-English advice.

Which Process Fits?

SLM 3D Printing vs CNC Machining

Both make metal parts. The right pick depends on shape, quantity, and tolerance.

Choose SLM When…

  • Complex inside shapes — channels, lattices, and hollow cores
  • One-piece parts — merge many machined parts into one build
  • Low to mid volume — no tooling cost to pay back
  • Hard metals — titanium and Inconel that wear out cutting tools
  • Weight savings — light, strong designs with less material

Choose CNC When…

  • Simple, solid shapes — blocks, shafts, and plates
  • Tightest tolerance — fits that need a fine, mirror finish
  • Large parts — sizes beyond the print envelope
  • Cheapest per part — simple parts in larger runs
  • Certified stock — parts cut from a known metal bar or plate

Not sure which way to go? Ask an engineer — we offer both and will tell you honestly.

Why YiguProto

Why Teams Choose Our China Factory

A partner who answers fast, quotes clearly, and ships on time.

Direct Factory Pricing

You buy from the maker, not a trader. That keeps your cost low and your margins healthy.

Fast, Clear Quotes

Most quotes come back in hours, never more than 24 hours, with free DFM feedback.

One Part or Thousands

No tooling and no strict MOQ. We print one metal part or a full run from the same process.

Engineers Who Speak Plain English

You get clear advice, not jargon. We explain trade-offs so you can decide with confidence.

Quality You Can Check

Reports, certificates, and photos before shipping mean no surprises when the box arrives.

One Partner, Many Processes

CNC, 3D printing, molding, and casting under one roof. Scale up without changing suppliers.

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Trusted Worldwide

Companies Around the World Rely on Our SLM Service

"We needed a lightweight bracket with an internal channel that no milling machine could reach. YiguProto printed it in aluminum as one piece, and it passed our load test on the first try."

— Design Engineer, U.S. aerospace supplier

"Their DFM notes warned us about a steep overhang before we wasted money on a bad build. The titanium parts came out dense and straight, and the heat treatment reports gave our QA team what they needed."

— Founder, European medical device startup

"Fast quotes, honest advice, and metal parts that match the drawing. We have used them for tooling inserts for over three years and they deliver on spec and on time."

— Engineering Director, Australian industrial equipment maker

12+
Years in Manufacturing
3,000+
Molds Built
50+
Countries Served
ISO 9001
Certified Factory

FAQ

SLM 3D Printing — Frequently Asked Questions

SLM stands for Selective Laser Melting. A high-power laser fully melts metal powder, layer by layer, inside a sealed chamber filled with inert gas. The melted metal cools into a solid, fully dense part. Density reaches 99% or more, so the part is as strong as one made by traditional metalworking.
Both use a laser and metal powder. DMLS sinters the powder, while SLM fully melts it. Full melting gives a more even, dense part, which is why SLM is the usual pick for pure metals like aluminum and titanium. In daily use, the two names are often used for the same service.
We print aluminum (AlSi10Mg, 6061), stainless steel (316L, 17-4PH), titanium (Ti-6Al-4V), tool steel, maraging steel, Inconel 718, and copper alloys (Cu, CuCrZr). Tell us your working conditions and we will suggest the best fit.
Standard tolerance is about ±0.2 mm, plus 0.15% for parts longer than 100 mm. Layer thickness is 30 to 50 microns. We confirm the key dimensions in your free DFM review.
Our build envelope is up to 320 x 320 x 400 mm. Larger parts can be printed in sections and joined, with strength checks after assembly, so size is rarely a hard limit.
Yes. Unlike SLS, SLM needs metal supports. They hold up overhangs and carry heat away from the melt pool. We add them where needed and remove them by hand or with a band saw after the build.
Yes. SLM parts reach full metal density, and their mechanical properties are close to wrought metal. After heat treatment, they can be used as real end-use parts, not just models.
We remove supports, clean out loose powder, and apply stress-relief heat treatment. On request we add CNC machining, polishing, sandblasting, anodizing, electroplating, and painting to reach your final look and tolerance.
Upload your 3D CAD files and tell us your material, quantity, and finish needs. Most quotes come back within a few hours on business days, and never more than 24 hours. Every quote includes free DFM feedback.
We prefer STEP (.stp, .step) or IGES (.igs, .iges) files for clean geometry. We also accept SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo/ProE, Parasolid (.x_t), and STL files. 2D PDF or DWG drawings are welcome for tolerances and notes.
There is no strict MOQ. We print one part or a full production run. Because there is no tooling cost, small batches and one-off metal parts are affordable.
Yes. All customer files and ideas are treated as confidential. We sign NDAs when needed and never share your data.

Need SLM 3D printing from a trusted China manufacturer?

Send your files and get a factory-direct quote within 24 hours.

Get My Free Quote