These machines use lasers — or, in some cases, high - power electron beams — to draw shapes in a layer of metal powder by melting the material. (technologyreview.com)
It described a process of putting down a thin layer of metal powder and then using ink - jet printing to deposit a liquid that selectively binds the powder together. (technologyreview.com)
But instead of a softened polymer, it uses metal powders mixed with a flowable polymer binder. (technologyreview.com)