Metal 1.0 Kickstarter Promises Low-Cost Desktop LPBF Metal 3D Printing

Key Takeaways

• Kickstarter price $9,840, far below industrial LPBF printers.
• 60 W diode laser yields slower print speeds than 500‑1000 W machines.
• Optional onboard nitrogen generator costs $1,400 for oxidation control.
• Build volume limited to 128 × 100 mm; stretch version 128 × 150 mm.
• DIY kit requires assembly; company lacks previous product deliveries.

Summary

The Metal 1.0, a desktop LPBF metal 3D printer, launched on Kickstarter with a price of €8,500 (~$9,840), promising low‑cost entry to metal additive manufacturing. It uses a 60 W diode laser, a small 128 × 100 mm build area (stretch version 128 × 150 mm), and offers an optional onboard nitrogen generator for powder oxidation control at about $1,400. The machine ships as a DIY kit and supports 316L, Inconel 718 and bronze powders, with copper in development. However, the company is only two years old, has never delivered a product, and the powder handling method remains unclear.

Pulse Analysis

Metal additive manufacturing has long been dominated by high‑price, industrial‑scale laser powder‑bed fusion (LPBF) systems that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The expense stems from powerful lasers, inert‑gas chambers, and rigorous safety protocols required to handle reactive metal powders. As a result, most small‑to‑mid‑size manufacturers have relied on outsourcing or alternative processes, limiting rapid iteration and in‑house innovation. The emergence of a sub‑$10k desktop LPBF printer directly challenges this status quo, promising to democratize access to metal 3D printing.

The Metal 1.0’s design trades raw power for affordability. Its 60 W diode laser is an order of magnitude weaker than the 500‑1000 W units typical in production environments, which will likely extend build times and constrain part density. Nevertheless, the printer’s fixed‑axis laser motion ensures consistent spot geometry, and the optional nitrogen generator ($1,400) mitigates oxidation—a critical factor for maintaining powder quality. With a build envelope of 128 × 100 mm (or 128 × 150 mm in the stretch model) and support for 316L, Inconel 718, and bronze powders, the system targets prototyping and low‑volume production, while copper remains a development goal.

If the Kickstarter succeeds, the Metal 1.0 could catalyze a new segment of metal‑printing startups and service bureaus, lowering entry barriers and spurring innovation in sectors like aerospace, medical devices, and tooling. However, buyers must weigh the risks: the company’s lack of delivery history, ambiguous powder‑handling procedures, and the inherent safety concerns of DIY metal powder processing. Competitors such as Xact Metal already offer low‑cost alternatives, so market adoption will hinge on the printer’s reliability, community support, and the ecosystem of consumables that develops around it.