What AM process did manufacturers develop in the 1990s that allowed them to produce metal parts?

In the 1990s, manufacturers developed Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) as a focused effort to utilize additive manufacturing techniques for producing metal parts. This process employs a high-powered laser to selectively melt fine metal powder, layer by layer, to create complex geometries that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods. DMLS enables the use of various metal alloys, resulting in parts that exhibit high strength and durability.

The significance of DMLS lies in its ability to not only produce intricate designs but also to optimize material usage, reduce waste, and shorten lead times in the production of metal components. This advancement marked a pivotal point in additive manufacturing as it broadened the application of 3D printing to the metal industry and paved the way for further innovations in the field.