BLT Reaches 100,000 Copper Part Milestone With Industrial Metal 3D Printing

Copper AM Reaches Industrial Scale

Bright Laser Technologies (BLT) has achieved a significant milestone: producing 100,000 copper parts using its BLT-S400 metal 3D printer. The 100,000th part was printed in March 2026, demonstrating that industrial-grade copper additive manufacturing is now achievable at scale.

Why Copper Presents Challenges

Copper is highly sought after for applications in optical communications, data centers, and electronics thermal management due to its excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. However, the material presents significant technical challenges for additive manufacturing:

• High reflectivity: Copper reflects most laser energy, making it difficult to melt effectively
• Thermal conductivity: Rapid heat dissipation can cause unstable melt pools

BLT's Solution

BLT's multi-laser configuration, using both red and green laser strategies, enables high throughput without sacrificing precision. The company has also extended build length to 450mm, increased part density per build, and implemented predictive fault management and robust thermal control.

The company states: "Copper AM is no longer a technical curiosity but a practical solution combining operational efficiency, design flexibility, and high-performance material properties."

Implications for Industry

This milestone signals a shift for decision-makers in data centers, telecommunications, and advanced electronics. Copper AM can now enable applications that were previously cost-prohibitive due to manufacturing constraints.