Digital Metal jumped at the opportunity. “We got off to a quick start with an entrepreneurial mindset on both sides,” says Christian Lönne, CEO of Digital Metal. “It’s a heart-warming cause and, at the same time, a good example of the part precision you can achieve with our binder-jetting technology. A great combination, simply.”

The metal powder made from illegal weapons is called Humanium. The Humanium Metal Initiative, launched by a Swedish nonprofit organization, feeds the proceeds of metal sales back into education programs, mostly in Central America. Both Ivansson and Lönne were eager to support this project by using Humanium, but it wasn’t without some hurdles.

There were practical concerns about 3D printing with an unproven material: What exactly were its properties and would the supply be consistent over time? “The Humanium metal powder is technically similar to stainless steel grades, such as 316L, but with a validated source from illegal weapons,” explains Lönne. “After some initial trials by the team, we concluded that this new powder works well in our 3D-printing process.”

Three techniques in the additive manufacturing industry use metal powder to create final metal products and metal prototypes. Two methods, direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) and selective laser melting (SLM), use the heat of a laser applied to a bed of metal powder in specific areas to melt the metal layer by layer. Another method called binder jetting also uses metal powder that is bound together, layer by layer, with a liquid binder agent. After printing, the components are removed from the powder bed and sintered in a furnace. After sintering, the components have their final solid properties.

Although these techniques aren’t completely new in the jewelry industry, they are still not widely used. The industrial machines are expensive, and a bed of gold or silver powder is a large investment for boutique jewelry makers.

Fortunately for designers, a growing number of 3D printing service bureaus offer print-by-demand in precious metals. None of these, however, were offering Humanium.

Digital Metal’s trials with Humanium produced extraordinary sample prints, says Ivansson, and with the method nailed down, he and his head designer and co-founder Håkan Orrling could now focus on design.

With the help of computer-aided design (CAD) software, Arlid Links goes from concept to final product in only a few months using metal 3D printing. This enables the company to respond quickly to market demand.

“Today, you can’t spend the same amount of time on a piece of jewelry that you could 70 years ago,” says Orrling. “3D printing lets you make amazing shapes, and computer-aided design, over time, is more efficient. Smaller producers can now compete with the companies that mass-produce because we can produce in a more effective way.”

Digital Metal prints between 300 and 500 pieces for Arlid Links a month, and although sales of the jewelry are strong, it won’t justify purchasing a Digital Metal DM P2500 3D metal printer at $495,000 any time soon. Yet, overall, Arlid Links expects a return on their investment in the printing at Digital Metal and the Humanium in about a year, Ivansson hopes.

Taking full advantage of what’s possible through the metal 3D printing process, Arlid Links’ Stories Collection features a bracelet of silver with Humanium charms printed by Digital Metal. The charms, which represent concepts, such as love, peace, and nonviolence, fit together on each bracelet to create a visual narrative.

“Our 3D-printed Humanium line represents a new world order where we take a collective stand against the challenges our world faces,” says Ivansson. The young company’s Changes Collection bracelet of Humanium metal and brightly colored rope from responsibly recycled plastic bottles is a symbol representing the wearer’s “true values and support of anti-gun violence initiatives,” he says.

Customers can’t tell from looking at the jewelry that it’s 3D printed, says Orrling, but their first reaction is to the uniqueness of the metal, with its rich tone and variety of rough and smooth surface finishes. Where the metal comes from is the focus of the jewelry line, not how it’s made, but some customers say they’re attracted to the brand because of its innovative manufacturing, he adds.

Looking forward, Arlid Links has plans to expand the line with the release this year of a chain link 3D printed in one piece by Digital Metal. “This will be the world’s first 3D printed jewelry chain link in Humanium,” says Ivansson. “That’s exciting!”