Xometry has become an extremely important and helpful company in the digital manufacturing sector. However, the industry has a great deal of Xometry competitors that offer different strengths and specialized services.
Yijin Hardware, one of the Xometry alternatives, is here to help you choose the right services for your project. We’re going to discuss the 9 best Xometry alternatives and competitors, providing insights into their capabilities, strengths, and how they compare to the industry leader.
Key Takeaways
- Yijin Hardware stands out among Xometry manufacturing competitors.
- Protolabs offers a comprehensive range of digital manufacturing solutions.
- RapidDirect specializes in low- to medium-volume production of plastic parts.
- Materialize is a leader in additive manufacturing software and medical 3D printing.
- Hubs provides a strong European presence in digital manufacturing services.
Top Xometry Alternatives
# | Company | Services | Unique Features | Industries Served |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yijin Hardware | CNC machining, sheet metal, injection molding, die casting | Comprehensive services under one roof | Diverse industrial needs |
2 | Protolabs | CNC machining, 3D printing, rapid prototyping | Advanced automation for quick turnaround | Quick turnaround, tight tolerances |
3 | RapidDirect | Injection molding, CNC machining, rapid tooling | Automated quoting & CNC design assessment | Cost-effective, small production runs |
4 | Materialise | 3D printing, design optimization | Software-centric approach to additive manufacturing | Medical, aerospace, automotive |
5 | Hubs | Digital manufacturing platform | Extensive partner network, especially in Europe | Regional manufacturing projects |
6 | Fictiv | CNC machining, 3D printing, urethane casting | Direct interaction with manufacturing partners | On-demand, simple parts |
7 | Fathom | 3D printing, design assistance, urethane casting | Focus on product design optimization | R&D, small-scale production |
8 | Zetwerk | Fabrication, metal manufacturing, forging, casting | Indirect platform connecting clients with suppliers | Complex metal parts, Asian market |
9 | Shapeways | 3D printing, design services | User-friendly design upload and order platform | Additive manufacturing solutions |
1. Yijin Hardware
Yijin Hardware is a powerful competitor in the digital manufacturing space, offering a comprehensive range of services that rival those of Xometry. Our expertise spans CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, and injection molding, assisting with diverse industrial needs. What sets Yijin Hardware apart is our proficiency in die casting, a process that has a high demand in the industry. Outside of this, Yijin Hardware offers a range of helpful services for your specific project needs.
Our company’s commitment to providing a wide array of manufacturing solutions makes it a good alternative for businesses looking for versatility in their production processes. Yijin Hardware’s ability to handle various manufacturing techniques under one roof streamlines the production workflow, potentially offering clients a more integrated experience compared to some competitors.
- Services Offered: CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, injection molding, die casting
- Unique Feature: Comprehensive range of services under one roof
- Industries Served: Diverse industrial needs
2. Protolabs
Protolabs is a pioneer in the digital manufacturing industry, and has been since its founding in 1999. With a focus on rapid prototyping and on-demand production, the company has continuously expanded its capabilities to meet the evolving needs of various industries. Their services now cover CNC machining, 3D printing, and sheet metal fabrication, marking them as a comprehensive alternative to Xometry.
One of Protolabs’ main strengths lies in its advanced automation and proprietary software, which enable quick turnaround times for quotes and production. This efficiency is particularly helpful for clients working on tight deadlines or requiring rapid prototype parts with tight tolerances.
- Services Offered: CNC machining, 3D printing, sheet metal fabrication, rapid prototyping
- Unique Feature: Advanced automation and proprietary software for quick turnaround
- Industries Served: Various industries requiring quick turnaround and tight tolerances
3. RapidDirect
RapidDirect has a strong niche in the digital manufacturing world, with its focus on low- to medium-volume production of plastic parts. Its particular expertise in injection molding, along with rapid and industry-standard tooling options, makes it a fantastic alternative for businesses looking for cost-effective solutions for smaller production runs.
The company’s automated quoting feature and CNC design for manufacture (DFM) assessment tools streamline the manufacturing process, potentially reducing lead times for clients. A standout feature of RapidDirect is its comprehensive finishing and secondary operations offerings, which allow for improved customization and functionality of manufactured parts.
- Services Offered: Injection molding, CNC machining, rapid tooling, finishing operations
- Unique Feature: Automated quoting and CNC design for manufacture assessment tools
- Industries Served: Industries requiring cost-effective solutions for smaller production runs
4. Materialise
Materialise distinguishes itself in the digital manufacturing space with its strong focus on additive manufacturing software and services. Its comprehensive range of manufacturing services and products extends to various stages of the 3D printing process, from design optimization to quality control. This software-centric approach sets Materialise apart from many Xometry alternatives, making it an incredible option for businesses heavily invested in additive manufacturing technologies.
One of Materialise’s unique strengths is its specialization in medical 3D printing applications — creating custom implants, anatomical models, and surgical planning tools. Its solutions for aerospace and automotive industries demonstrate its capability to serve high-tech sectors with demanding manufacturing requirements.
- Services Offered: 3D printing services, additive manufacturing software, design optimization
- Unique Feature: Software-centric approach to additive manufacturing
- Industries Served: Medical, aerospace, automotive
5. Hubs
Hubs, formerly known as 3D Hubs, has evolved from a peer-to-peer 3D printing network into a comprehensive digital manufacturing platform. Its strength as one of the Xometry competitors and alternatives has roots in its extensive network of manufacturing partners, particularly in Europe. This provides clients with access to a wide range of capabilities and potentially faster turnaround times for regional projects, similar to the company, Jiga. However, Jiga doesn’t provide instant quotes.
The company’s recent integration with Protolabs presents both opportunities and challenges, potentially expanding Hubs’ service offerings and technological capabilities. This merger could ultimately result in a more stable and collaborative platform that enables effective internal and external collaboration. This top Xometry alternative offers clients a more comprehensive and streamlined manufacturing experience.
- Services Offered: Comprehensive digital manufacturing platform
- Unique Feature: Extensive network of manufacturing partners, particularly in Europe
- Industries Served: Various industries requiring regional manufacturing projects
6. Fictiv
Fictiv has made huge strides in democratizing access to manufacturing services since its founding in 2013. Its digital platform connects customers with a curated network of manufacturing partners. When you compare Xometry and Fictiv, you’ll notice that they offer a wide range of services including CNC machining, 3D printing, and urethane casting.
Fictiv’s approach to digital manufacturing focuses on simplifying the production process, making it an attractive option for businesses looking for simpler parts and a user-friendly alternative to Xometry. One of Fictiv’s main strengths is its emphasis on quality control and standardization across its partner network, ensuring consistent results regardless of which partner fulfills an order.
Fictiv’s platform presents direct interaction with manufacturing partners, allowing for more transparent communication and potentially faster problem-solving during the production process. That also means you may be able to get your metal parts faster with on-demand manufacturing services.
- Services Offered: CNC machining, 3D printing, urethane casting
- Unique Feature: Direct interaction with manufacturing partners
- Industries Served: Businesses looking for simpler parts and on-demand manufacturing
7. Fathom
Fathom has built itself into a comprehensive digital manufacturing solutions provider since its early days in 2008. Its growth from a rapid prototyping provider to a full-service manufacturer mirrors the industry’s growth and diversification, making them stand out against Xometry’s offerings.
Fathom’s best qualities are reflected in its wide range of offerings, including advanced 3D printing technologies like PolyJet and SLS, which offer solutions to clients requiring high-precision prototype parts.
An important aspect of Fathom’s offerings is the emphasis on product design assistance and optimization, which can be particularly valuable for clients in the R&D phase or those looking to improve existing designs for manufacturability. Fathom’s expertise in low- to medium-volume production using techniques like urethane casting positions them as a good alternative for businesses transitioning from prototyping and mass production to small-scale production runs.
- Services Offered: 3D printing, product design assistance, urethane casting
- Unique Feature: Emphasis on product design assistance and optimization
- Industries Served: R&D-focused industries, businesses transitioning to small-scale production
8. Zetwerk
Zetwerk’s approach to digital manufacturing distinguishes it from many Xometry alternatives. As an indirect manufacturing platform, Zetwerk focuses on efficiently connecting clients with suitable manufacturing suppliers. This model can be immensely helpful for businesses needing more control over their supplier relationships or those with specific regional manufacturing requirements.
One of Zetwerk’s strong points is its expertise in general fabrication services and metal manufacturing processes. Its expertise in forging and different casting techniques makes it a strong contender for projects requiring complex metal parts. Zetwerk’s Indian origins and strong presence in the region could provide a competitive advantage for businesses looking to tap into the growing Asian manufacturing market.
- Services Offered: General fabrication, metal manufacturing, forging, casting
- Unique Feature: Indirect manufacturing platform connecting clients with suppliers
- Industries Served: Industries requiring complex metal parts, Asian manufacturing market
9. Shapeways
Shapeways has transformed from a 3D printing services marketplace into a comprehensive additive manufacturing service provider. Its growth reflects the growing sophistication of 3D printing technologies and its increasing adoption across industries. Shapeways’ uniqueness results from its wide range of materials and finishing options, helping clients with diverse requirements for their additive manufacturing projects.
A special part of Shapeways’ offering is their design services for optimization and customization, which can be valuable for clients new to additive manufacturing or those looking to fully leverage the design freedoms offered by 3D printing technologies. Shapeways’ roots as a marketplace have contributed to a user-friendly platform that simplifies the process of uploading designs and ordering prints, making it an accessible alternative for businesses of all sizes.
- Services Offered: 3D printing services, design services for optimization and customization
- Unique Feature: User-friendly platform for uploading designs and ordering prints
- Industries Served: Diverse industries requiring additive manufacturing solutions
Yijin Hardware: Professional CNC Machining Services
While Xometry provides a wide range of offerings and remains a dominant force in digital manufacturing, alternatives like Yijin Hardware offer compelling services that cater to specific needs.
Our Services
Yijin’s expertise in CNC machining, along with our diverse range of manufacturing capabilities, makes us a strong competitor in the market. We offer CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, injection molding, die casting, 3D printing, and more!
Our Industries
Yijin Hardware provides products at competitive pricing for the automotive, aerospace, medical, energy, maritime, semiconductor, and consumer products industry. For businesses looking for a reliable partner for their manufacturing needs, reach out to our team for a consultation and quote today.
Xometry Alternatives FAQs
Are Protolabs and Xometry the same company?
No, Protolabs and Xometry are not the same company. They are two different manufacturers offering distinct services and capabilities. Both companies provide rapid prototyping and on-demand manufacturing, but have unique strengths and focuses.
How reliable is Xometry?
Xometry is generally considered reliable, with a broad network of suppliers and a solid reputation for quality and customer service. Many users have positive experiences, though reliability can vary based on specific projects and requirements.
Is Xometry or Protolabs cheaper?
In Xometry vs. Protolabs pricing, Xometry typically has more affordable costs for larger orders, while Protolabs is known for fast turnaround times, which can increase overall costs. However, prices vary depending on the specific project and materials used.
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