ADAM is an end-to-end process that starts with metal powder, captures it in a plastic binder (which makes it safe to handle), and then forms it into the part shape one layer at a time. After printing you sinter the part in a furnace, burning off the binder and solidifying the powder into the final fully-dense metal part.
Humans have been pouring metal into molds for five thousand years. Now we have a better way. In the next 2 years Markforged will achieve the technological leap to true digital metal manufacturing. The digital age transformed every other industry known to man — music, photography, writing, telecom, email, the internet. But manufacturing is largely the same as it was in the 50s. It’s time for mechanical engineering to enter the digital age.― Greg Mark, founder & CEO
Selective laser melting (SLM) is one of the premier technologies in additive manufacturing metal parts utilizing both for rapid prototyping and mass production.
SLM is very similar to SLS, and both processes are covered under the powder bed fusion umbrella.
An SLM machine has a chamber filled with metal powder. This metal powder is then spread across the substrate or build plate in very thin layers by a coater blade.