Mastrex Expands Access to Metal AM With Affordable MX-Series LPBF Systems
Metal additive manufacturing has long been associated with high costs and complex infrastructure, keeping the technology out of reach for all but the largest industrial players. A new generation of manufacturers is now working to change that. Among them is Mastrex, a US-based company positioning itself as a more accessible alternative in the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) market.
The company is building on a legacy of laser technology expertise to deliver high-performance metal 3D printing systems at lower price points. Its MX-Series portfolio aims to democratize LPBF by offering systems that maintain industrial-grade precision and performance while reducing costs by an estimated 3X compared to traditional platforms.
A Market Shift in the Making
The timing of Mastrex’s entry into the market reflects a broader shift within additive manufacturing. The LPBF sector is following a trajectory similar to that of earlier technologies such as fused deposition modeling and stereolithography. When these processes were first commercialized, high development costs and significant capital investment created strong barriers to entry.
As these technologies matured, new manufacturers were able to enter the market with more cost-efficient systems, building on existing engineering advancements rather than developing them from scratch. Applying that same principle, Mastrex leverages established expertise in laser technology while operating with a more streamlined cost structure, enabling a genuinely accessible entry point into metal 3D printing.
A Range Built Around Accessibility
The MX-Series portfolio reflects that philosophy in practice. The range spans from compact desktop systems starting at $39,000 to larger platform configurations priced up to approximately $185,000, allowing manufacturers, research institutions, and machine shops to select a system aligned with their needs and budget.
All MX-Series platforms are designed as hybrid systems, combining pre-qualified material and software parameters with open configuration options for users requiring greater flexibility. The machines are compatible with a range of metals, including stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, cobalt-chrome, and Inconel, supporting applications across industries such as aerospace, defense, dental, and research.
At the center of the portfolio is the MX-300, a flagship laser powder bed fusion system designed to balance productivity and precision. The machine features a build volume of 300 x 300 x 350 mm and is equipped with dual 500W lasers, enabling higher throughput while maintaining fine detail.
The MX-300 also offers adjustable laser beam diameters ranging from 50 to 120 microns, allowing users to tailor the system to specific part requirements. With layer heights between 20 and 120 microns and a build rate of up to 70 cm³ per hour, the system is positioned to support both prototyping and production workflows.
Compatible with materials including aluminum, cobalt-chromium, copper, stainless steel, and titanium, the MX-300 is suited for a range of demanding applications. Priced at $185,000, it offers a direct challenge to industrial LPBF systems with comparable capabilities, at a fraction of the cost.
Applications and Adoption
The MX-Series systems are already being applied across industries where performance and material capabilities are critical. In aerospace and defense, early use cases include components such as heat exchangers, impellers, turbine parts, and combustion chambers, where processing high-performance alloys like Inconel is essential.
Sample parts produced on the Mastrex MX-Series: a Heat Exchanger in Aluminum (left) and an Energy Turbine in Titanium (right), demonstrating the system’s capability across aerospace and industrial applications.
Beyond these sectors, the systems are also being used in medical and dental applications, including surgical instruments and partial dentures, as well as in semiconductor and electronics use cases such as heat management and fluidic devices. Research institutions and academic environments represent another key area, where more accessible LPBF systems can support experimentation, material development, and new application discovery.
Sample parts from the medical and dental sectors produced on the Mastrex MX-Series
Looking Ahead
“Our mission at Mastrex is to enable the current and next generation with high- performance, precision metal additive manufacturing that unleashes new designs and applications. By making this technology accessible, we democratize engineering brilliance and are enthusiastic about that opportunity on behalf of our users, partners, and collaborators.” — Ilay Fridland, Co-Founder, Mastrex
As metal additive manufacturing continues to mature, the barriers that once limited access to laser powder bed fusion are beginning to shift. More cost-efficient systems are making it possible for a wider range of organizations to explore and adopt the technology.
Mastrex is among the companies responding to this shift, with a portfolio designed to make high-performance metal 3D printing more accessible across aerospace, defense, medical, dental, semiconductor, and research applications. The emergence of more affordable LPBF platforms reflects a broader evolution in the metal AM market, where precision and accessibility are increasingly being developed in parallel rather than treated as competing priorities.
Interested in learning more about Mastrex? Visit www.Mastrex.com or get in touch at In**@*****ex.com.
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All Photo Credits: Mastrex
