Desktop Metal Metal Additive Manufacturing

Desktop Metal X-Series

$500,000 - $1,000,000 (contact Desktop Metal for quote) Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

technology

Bound Metal Deposition (BMD) — production scale

build rate

Up to 9,000 cm³/hr (industry-leading for BMD)

max part density

96 - 99% (post-sinter)

materials

17-4 PH Stainless Steel, 316L Stainless, H13 Tool Steel, 4140 Low-Alloy Steel, Inconel 625, Copper, additional production alloys

feedstock form

Metal rod (closed cartridge)

debinder type

Proprietary fluid debind station — production scale

Overview

The Desktop Metal X-Series represents the high-end production tier of Desktop Metal's BMD platform family, delivering build rates up to 9,000 cm³/hour — a figure that competes with mid-range LPBF systems on throughput while maintaining the operational simplicity of the closed rod-based feedstock system. The X-Series is engineered for automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial production environments where metal AM must compete directly with MIM (metal injection molding) on cost-per-part economics for lot sizes of hundreds to thousands of units.

The X-Series scales the BMD process with a larger, faster print head and a production-grade sinter furnace capable of handling multiple full build plates per day. The system uses the same metal rod feedstock and three-stage print/debind/sinter workflow as the Studio and Shop systems, but the print engine is redesigned for industrial duty cycles — continuous operation, automated plate handling, and integration into production scheduling systems. The result is a system capable of competing with MIM on lead time (days vs. weeks) and tooling cost (no MIM die required) for complex geometries.

Material flexibility is a key X-Series differentiator. The system supports all alloys in the Desktop Metal library — 17-4 PH, 316L, H13, 4140, Inconel 625, copper — plus additional production alloys qualified for automotive and industrial applications. Part density post-sinter is 96-99%, consistent with the rest of the BMD family, and the larger furnace achieves tighter thermal uniformity across the build chamber, reducing lot-to-lot variation in high-volume runs.

The X-Series targets manufacturers currently using MIM for complex metal components who want to eliminate tooling investment and minimum order quantities, or organizations running LPBF at low utilization who need higher throughput at lower cost-per-part. Pricing is not publicly listed and requires direct quotation from Desktop Metal, but the X-Series is positioned as a production capital investment comparable to large LPBF systems in the $500,000-$1,000,000 range.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Technology	Bound Metal Deposition (BMD) — production scale
Build Rate	Up to 9,000 cm³/hr (industry-leading for BMD)
Max Part Density	96 - 99% (post-sinter)
Materials	17-4 PH Stainless Steel, 316L Stainless, H13 Tool Steel, 4140 Low-Alloy Steel, Inconel 625, Copper, additional production alloys
Feedstock Form	Metal rod (closed cartridge)
Debinder Type	Proprietary fluid debind station — production scale
Furnace Type	Production-grade batch furnace with multi-plate capacity
Furnace Max Temp	1,400°C
Duty Cycle	Industrial — continuous production operation
Software	Desktop Metal Fabricate (shrinkage compensation, supports, scheduling)
Target Application	MIM replacement, high-volume metal AM production
3d Printing Systems	01-04
Metal	All-new vacuum furnace for combined debinding and sintering features breakthrough industrial performance
Metal And Ceramics	Binder jet 3D printing featuring patented Triple ACT for excellent surface quality and specialty materials, including both metals and ceramics.

Specifications sourced from desktopmetal.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

9,000 cm³/hr build rate is the highest throughput available in any BMD system, enabling direct competition with MIM on lot sizes of hundreds to thousands of parts
Eliminates MIM tooling cost and lead time — complex geometries can go from CAD to sintered parts in days without die investment
Same operational simplicity as Studio/Shop Systems — no loose powder, no inert gas infrastructure, no explosion-proof room required even at production scale
Broadest alloy library in the Desktop Metal portfolio with tighter thermal uniformity in the production furnace for consistent lot-to-lot density

Limitations

Part density ceiling of 96-99% is below LPBF (99%+) and limits suitability for aerospace and medical applications requiring maximum fatigue life
High capital cost positions the X-Series against established LPBF production systems where the density and surface finish advantages of laser AM may outweigh throughput benefits
Sintering shrinkage of 15-20% requires extensive process development for a production part library, especially when maintaining tight tolerances across high-volume runs

Best For

Automotive and consumer electronics manufacturers producing complex metal components at volumes of 100-10,000 parts where MIM tooling costs are prohibitive for new programs Industrial manufacturers seeking to consolidate metal prototype and production on a single BMD platform without LPBF infrastructure investment Job shops and contract manufacturers offering MIM-replacement services with faster turnaround and lower minimum order quantities Organizations with existing Desktop Metal Studio or Shop Systems scaling to production volume on the same alloy library and software workflow

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What makes the Desktop Metal X-Series different from the Shop System?

The X-Series is a purpose-built production platform, not an upscaled office system. Its print engine delivers up to 9,000 cm³/hr — far exceeding the Shop System — and the furnace is designed for multi-plate continuous production rather than batch prototyping. The X-Series targets MIM replacement economics, where high throughput per shift determines cost-per-part competitiveness. The Shop System is optimized for high-mix, low-volume; the X-Series is optimized for high-volume production runs.

02 Can the X-Series replace metal injection molding (MIM)?

For many applications, yes. The X-Series targets exactly this displacement — eliminating MIM die tooling (which can cost $10,000-$100,000+ and take 8-16 weeks to produce) in favor of direct production from CAD. BMD and MIM use similar metal powder/binder feedstocks and sintering processes, so final material properties are comparable. The X-Series advantage is zero tooling cost and days-not-weeks lead time. The MIM advantage remains unit cost at very high volumes (100,000+ parts).

03 What alloys does the Desktop Metal X-Series support?

The X-Series supports the full Desktop Metal alloy library: 17-4 PH stainless steel, 316L stainless steel, H13 tool steel, 4140 low-alloy steel, Inconel 625, and copper, plus additional production alloys qualified for automotive and industrial applications. Desktop Metal continues to add alloys through its materials partnership program.

04 What density does the X-Series achieve?

Post-sinter density is 96-99% depending on alloy and geometry — the same range as the Studio and Shop Systems. For most structural, tooling, and industrial applications, this density is adequate. For aerospace fatigue-critical parts or medical implants requiring >99.5% density, LPBF systems are more appropriate. The X-Series density is sufficient for the automotive and consumer electronics applications it is designed to serve.

05 How does the Desktop Metal X-Series price compare to LPBF systems?

The X-Series is priced in the $500,000-$1,000,000 range, comparable to mid-tier LPBF systems like the EOS M 290 or SLM 280. However, the X-Series offers significantly higher throughput (9,000 cm³/hr vs. 10-40 cm³/hr for single-laser LPBF), lower facility costs (no inert gas infrastructure), and broader applicability to production volume applications. Contact Desktop Metal directly for current pricing and configuration options.