Which Manufacturing Processes and Materials Can You Order Through Xometry?

Updated

Xometry is an on-demand custom manufacturing platform that covers additive manufacturing (FDM, HP Multi Jet Fusion, SLA, PolyJet, Carbon DLS, and metal 3D printing), subtractive and forming processes (CNC milling, turning, Swiss-type turning, sheet metal fabrication, laser cutting, waterjet cutting, and tube bending), and injection molding and volume production (injection molding, die casting, metal stamping, and metal extrusion). It also offers assembly, rapid prototyping, high-volume production, and finishing services. You can upload a CAD file (STEP, STP, SLDPRT, STL, DXF, IPT, X_T, X_B, 3DXML, CATPART, PRT, SAT, 3MF, or JT) to get an instant quote and check whether your part fits a given process. The platform states that it serves everyone from startups to global enterprises, with 90,000 buyers, 5,000 suppliers, and 165M+ parts shipped.

Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)

Xometry's 3D printing services split into plastic and metal workflows:

  • Plastic 3D printing: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), HP Multi Jet Fusion, Selective Laser Sintering (SLA), and PolyJet, plus a dedicated production 3D printing service and Carbon DLS.
  • Metal 3D printing: Direct Metal Laser Sintering and metal binder jetting.
  • Post-processing: Vapor smoothing for 3D prints is listed as a standalone option.

This range suits prototypes that need to become end-use parts: FDM and PolyJet for quick form checks, Multi Jet Fusion and SLS for functional nylon parts, Carbon DLS for elastomeric or high-resolution parts, and DMLS or binder jetting when the part must be metal.

CNC Machining and Subtractive Processes

The CNC category includes CNC milling (3/4/5-axis), CNC turning, CNC drilling, wire EDM, CNC routing, Swiss-type turning, and micro machining. Xometry advertises "sub ±0.001″ accuracy" for precision components from prototype through high-volume production and says it handles virtually any metal or plastic material with finishing options.

Use CNC when you need tight tolerances, specific engineering plastics or metals, or a machined surface finish. For turned parts with small diameters and long length-to-diameter ratios, Swiss-type turning is the relevant sub-service; for very small features, micro machining.

Sheet and Tube Fabrication

  • Sheet metal fabrication and sheet cutting
  • Laser cutting, waterjet cutting, and laser tube cutting
  • Tube bending

These processes fit brackets, enclosures, frames, and other flat or tubular parts. Laser cutting and waterjet cutting differ mainly in cut edge quality and material thickness capability, so the choice depends on your material and tolerance needs rather than a single "best" option.

Injection Molding and Volume Production

  • Injection molding: plastic injection molding, prototype molding, production molding, insert molding, overmolding, and micro molding.
  • Other plastic production: urethane and silicone casting, compression molding, and plastic extrusion.
  • Metal part production: die casting, metal stamping, and metal extrusion.

Prototype molding is the entry point when you want molded parts before committing to production tooling; production molding and high-volume production are for scale. Insert molding and overmolding apply when your design combines plastic with metal inserts or multiple materials.

Materials and Finishing

Xometry states it supports "virtually any metal or plastic material, expertly finished your way." The page does not publish a full material list, so confirm your specific alloy or resin during quoting. Finishing services are offered as a value-added category alongside assembly, rapid prototyping, and high-volume production.

Quality Certifications to Check Against Your Requirements

The site lists ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016, AS9100D, IATF 16949:2016, ITAR, CMMC Level 2, and JCP. If your part is for medical, aerospace, defense, or automotive use, match the relevant certification to your program before ordering.

How to Decide If Your Part Fits

  1. Identify the part's geometry and tolerance: tight tolerances and machined surfaces point to CNC; complex internal channels or lattice structures point to additive; flat profiles point to laser or waterjet cutting.
  2. Check the material: metals and engineering plastics are covered across CNC and 3D printing; confirm the exact grade at quote time.
  3. Match quantity to process: one-offs and prototypes go to CNC or 3D printing; hundreds to thousands of identical plastic parts go to injection molding; high-volume metal parts go to die casting, stamping, or extrusion.
  4. Upload your CAD file in a supported format and use the instant quote to validate feasibility and cost before committing.

The main limitation to keep in mind: the public page describes capabilities at the category level, not per-material or per-process tolerance tables, so treat the quote step as the real feasibility check for your specific design.