Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) is a 3D printing technology that melts metal powder and fuses the powder with a laser. DMLS was developed by the German company, EOS. EOS was founded by Dr. Hans Langer in 1989. EOS began using DMLS in 1994 and created the EOSINT M 160, a prototype 3D printer. 

 

How Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) Works

 

First, a user creates a model using 3D modeling software and saves it as an STL file. Then the file is sent to the 3D printer’s interfacing software where it determines how each layer is to be printed and slices the model into sections. The model is then sent to the 3D printer where a layer of metal powder is deposited on a print bed and exposed to a laser. The laser fuses the powder into a solid, and then another layer of powder is deposited and exposed to the laser. This process continues until the part is complete.