Additive manufacturing (AM), also called Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) or more popularly known as selective laser melting (SLM), creates a three-dimensional part from a digital file.

Thin layers of material are used to create complex shapes which cannot be produced by ‘traditional’ techniques such as casting, forging, and machining.

LPBF includes a laser (or several lasers) slowly melting layer by layer of metal powder, fusing the microscopic particles inside the metal. It can be used with a wide range of materials, including aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, nickel, copper-based alloys, and their composites.

AM(LPBF) provides new design possibilities, including opportunities to combine multiple components in production, minimize material use and reduce tooling costs.