Democratizing Metal Additive Manufacturing: An Interview with One Click Metal on Accessibility and Affordability

We first encountered the innovative German startup, One Click Metal, at the prestigious Formnext 2019 exhibition. From the outset, their mission was unmistakably clear: to fundamentally transform and democratize access to metal additive manufacturing. They aim to achieve this by providing a comprehensive 3D printing solution that is significantly easier to operate, features a less complex powder handling system, and is offered at a much more affordable price point than existing market options. Their flagship 3D printer leverages the robust and proven laser powder fusion process, making this advanced technology accessible for just over a hundred thousand dollars – a truly disruptive cost compared to many high-end industrial systems available today. One Click Metal envisions a future where a broader spectrum of companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and newcomers to the field, can readily adopt this transformative technology, thereby actively contributing to the global expansion of metal additive manufacturing. We recently had the opportunity to sit down with the dedicated team from this Stuttgart-based startup to gain a deeper understanding of how their innovative products are poised to accelerate the widespread adoption of metal 3D printing technologies across various industries.

3DN: Can you introduce yourselves and explain your connection to Additive Manufacturing (AM)?

Our team represents a generation that truly grew up with the advent of 3D printing, having gained our initial experiences with plastic 3D printers during our university days. There’s a profound sense of autonomy and independence that comes from conceptualizing a design on a computer, then rapidly manufacturing it with a 3D printer, and finally holding the finished product in your hands the very next day, all without the reliance on external manufacturing services. This unparalleled speed and freedom, coupled with the relatively straightforward accessibility of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) printers, has unlocked an entirely new realm of possibilities for businesses, designers, and engineers alike. The full potential of these plastic AM technologies is still being explored and is far from exhausted. Now, imagine extending that same level of accessibility, speed, and creative freedom to metals. The sheer scope of ideas that could be realized, the innovations that could be brought to life, is truly inspiring. We recognized this immense potential and felt compelled to be a part of this revolution, which is precisely why we founded One Click Metal. We believe that empowering individuals and companies with the ability to prototype and produce metal parts rapidly and affordably will drive unprecedented innovation.

3DN: How did the concept of creating One Click Metal first emerge?

Throughout our professional careers, we consistently observed a significant paradox in the metal 3D printing landscape. While the technology held immense potential and was clearly interesting for a vast number of companies across various sectors, the existing additive manufacturing systems were overwhelmingly expensive and inherently complex. This complexity often served as a formidable barrier, particularly for newcomers or small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We frequently heard feedback along the lines of, “We lack the necessary application knowledge,” or “We simply cannot justify such a substantial investment for a technology that is largely unfamiliar to us and our current workforce.” And honestly, that sentiment is completely understandable. Recognizing this widespread challenge, we questioned why it had to be so difficult. We firmly believed that there had to be a simpler, more accessible approach. Our goal became to introduce a metal 3D printing system to the market that would drastically lower these initial hurdles. This primarily meant enhancing the accessibility of these advanced technologies and, consequently, reducing the barriers to entry. It was from this core conviction that One Click Metal was conceived. Our foundational principle is to make sophisticated metal additive manufacturing technologies available and manageable with literally “one click,” simplifying the entire process from start to finish.

3DN: Could you elaborate on your technology and products? How do they differentiate from those of your competitors?

It’s important to clarify that the core process we utilize is not a novel invention by One Click Metal. The laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process, sometimes referred to as Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), has been a recognized and industrially mature technology since the 1990s. Compared to many other additive manufacturing techniques, LPBF boasts the highest level of industrial and technical maturity, which is why it commands the largest market share within metal AM. We specifically leverage this established process because of its inherent ability to achieve high material densities, impressive productivity rates, and exceptional resolution in terms of layer thickness and dimensional accuracy. For our product solutions, this means we can capitalize on the robust capabilities of LPBF while simultaneously applying our customer-centric approach to address and mitigate the most significant entry barriers into metal 3D printing. These barriers typically include a lack of specialized knowledge and application expertise, the prohibitive cost and complexity of most existing systems, and the often messy and complicated nature of powder handling. These factors severely limit the accessibility of advanced AM technologies for a wide range of companies. Our innovative solutions to these challenges are multifaceted: firstly, our unique powder and cartridge system ensures uncomplicated and clean powder handling, minimizing direct user exposure and simplifying material management. Secondly, our “co-thinking philosophy” is embedded in the Human-Machine Interface (HMI), offering step-by-step instructions that intuitively guide the user through the entire preparation and printing process, virtually eliminating the need for extensive prior expertise. And, of course, a cornerstone of our differentiation is our relatively low system price, which makes high-quality metal AM financially viable for many who were previously excluded. In our product development, the customer remains our strongest focus. We constantly ask ourselves: What specific problems do our customers currently face when trying to implement and successfully utilize metal 3D printing? What are their critical pain points? And most importantly, how can we develop and integrate solutions into our products that directly alleviate these problems? We firmly believe that this customer-centric perspective is often underestimated in the industry. Ultimately, what truly matters is what the customer genuinely needs and what brings them tangible added value, not merely packing a machine with numerous features that a customer may neither need nor be able to effectively use, yet which significantly inflate the machine’s cost.

3DN: Who is your primary target audience for this affordable 3D printing system?

While our system is meticulously designed to be suitable for virtually all groups of individuals and companies, irrespective of their size, industry sector, or previous experience with additive manufacturing, we have identified specific segments that find our solution particularly compelling. We’ve observed that our system is especially attractive for beginners who are just embarking on their journey with metal 3D printing, whether for rapid prototyping applications or for producing their initial small-batch series. This appeal stems directly from its exceptionally simple and uncomplicated operation, combined with the innovative powder cartridge system. This design significantly reduces the need for specially trained personnel, as the user is exposed to only minimal direct powder contact, enhancing safety and ease of use. Consequently, educational institutions, universities, and corporate training departments also derive substantial benefits from our system, as it provides a practical and safe platform for learning and experimentation in metal AM. Furthermore, due to our highly competitive system price, we are exceptionally interesting for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For many SMEs, the majority of industrial additive manufacturing systems currently on the market have simply been too expensive and overly complex to justify the investment. One Click Metal aims to bridge this gap, empowering these businesses to harness the power of metal 3D printing without the customary financial and operational burdens, thereby fostering innovation and competitive advantage.

3DN: What are your future projects and strategic plans?

Looking ahead, our strategic focus will increasingly center on expanding into new industries and meticulously adapting our product solutions to meet their specific, evolving requirements, all while steadfastly adhering to our core development guidelines of simplicity, accessibility, and affordability. We are committed to a continuous cycle of innovation, ensuring that our products and their features remain perfectly aligned with genuine customer needs. This involves constantly collecting feedback, conducting thorough market research, and iteratively optimizing our offerings. Our ultimate aim is to steadily progress towards our overarching vision: making advanced metal additive manufacturing technology not only understandable for everyone but also readily available with just “one click.” This dedication to user-centric development will guide our expansion efforts, allowing us to introduce our democratized metal AM solutions to a broader and more diverse global audience, thereby fostering innovation across new sectors and applications.

3DN: In your opinion, what does the future hold for metal AM compared to other additive manufacturing technologies?

Metal additive manufacturing has experienced a significant surge in demand and development over recent years, largely driven by the stringent requirements and innovative applications within the aerospace, energy, and automotive industries. Traditionally, this sector has been dominated by large machine manufacturers with strong backgrounds in classical mechanical engineering. However, much like what we have witnessed and continue to observe with plastic AM processes, the metal AM sector is poised for a profound transformation. It will undoubtedly continue to evolve, reaching a significantly larger and much broader audience than ever before. The current trend is clear: complex, industrial-grade machines will gradually transition into more user-friendly, digital, and highly connected devices, making their application much simpler and more intuitive. The entry barrier in the metal AM sector has historically been quite high, particularly for young, innovative startups and smaller companies. However, as more SMEs and individual innovators gain access to metal AM technologies through low-cost, uncomplicated, and user-friendly solutions – precisely what One Click Metal is striving to provide – this entry barrier will continue to fall dramatically. This crucial shift will enable a far wider and more diverse range of applications and users for metal AM technologies than we are currently accustomed to. We foresee a future where metal AM is no longer an exclusive tool for large corporations but an accessible and indispensable manufacturing method for businesses and creators of all sizes, fostering unprecedented levels of innovation and product development.

3DN: Do you have any final words or advice for our readers?

Absolutely! We strongly encourage all our readers who are curious about metal 3D printing to visit our website. We have invested considerable effort in compiling a wealth of comprehensive information about metal additive manufacturing. Our resources cover not only the exciting possibilities but also critical, often-overlooked topics such as proper powder disposal and effective heat management – aspects that are hugely important for safe and successful operation. We invite you to explore our content thoroughly. If, after browsing, you have any questions, comments, or simply wish to discuss the possibilities of metal AM further, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always eager to engage with the community and share our expertise.

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