The same has happened at a much higher level, but for those with extremely deep pockets it extends into exotic high-performance materials which owners of a desktop FDM machine can only dream of.

The first commercial, metal AM process involved laser sintering of metal powder particles to form ... and surface finishing for the desired end result. The multiple machines involved represent a large ...

DIY 3D printing in metal is a lot more complicated than we thought. And this video from [Metal Matters] shows two approaches, many many false starts, and finally, a glorious 78.9% success!

Building prototypes and finished parts in a machine from powdered thermoplastics ... Also called "selective laser sintering" (SLS), it is one of several additive fabrication technologies used ...