BLT Reaches 100,000 Copper Part Milestone With Industrial-Grade Additive Manufacturing

Beijing-based additive manufacturing company BLT has reached a significant milestone by producing its 100,000th copper part using its BLT-S400 powder bed fusion system. The eight-laser machine achieved this milestone in March 2026, demonstrating that industrial-grade copper additive manufacturing is no longer a technical curiosity but a practical reality.

Why Copper AM Matters

Copper is the material of choice for a range of industrial applications including optical communications, data centres, and electronics thermal management. However, its physical properties present significant technical challenges for additive manufacturing:

• High reflectivity complicates laser energy absorption
• Exceptional thermal conductivity causes rapid heat dissipation and unstable melt pools

How BLT Solved the Copper Challenge

BLT's multi-laser configuration and red- and green-laser strategies enable high throughput without sacrificing precision, while also accommodating different alloy characteristics. Key factors in their success include:

• Predictive fault management systems
• Continuous operation capability
• Robust thermal control
• Process optimisation focusing on part density

The company has also extended build length to 450mm, increasing part density per build.

What This Means for Industry

According to BLT's press release: For decision-makers in data centres, telecommunications, and advanced electronics, these developments signal a shift: copper AM is no longer a technical curiosity but a practical solution combining operational efficiency, design freedom, and high-performance material properties.

The milestone indicates that industrial-grade copper AM can now accelerate production cycles, enhance material efficiency, and offer greater design freedom for complex parts—enabling applications that were previously cost-prohibitive.