Many 3D printing technologies involve the use of lasers to produce both metal and plastic parts. Most laser-based 3D printing processes have their limits, though - but a new process developed by researchers at the University of Sheffield is addressing those limits, namely time, cost, and energy efficiency. The process, called Diode Area Melting (DAM), uses an array of laser diodes to melt several large parallel areas of powder at one time. The lasers can be carefully controlled and switched on and off as they move across the powder bed, making the process not only faster but more energy efficient. Read more at 3DPrint.com: http://3dprint.com/169291/university...field-process/