Refer to Diagram below

LOM was developed by Michael Feygin of Helysis.

As the name implies the process laminates thin sheets of film (paper or plastic), the laser has only to cut/scan the periphery of each layer and not the whole surface as in SLA.

The build material (paper with a thermo-setting resin glue on its under side) is stretched from a supply roller across an anvil or platform to a take- up roller on the other side. A heated roller passes over the paper bonding it to the platform or previous layer. A laser, focused to penetrate through one thickness of paper cuts the profile of that layer. The excess paper around and inside the model is etched into small squares to facilitate its removal. Meanwhile, this surplus material provides support for the developing model during the build process. The process of gluing and cutting continuous layer by layer until the model is complete.

To reduce the build time, double or even triple layers are cut at one time which increases the size of the steps on curved surfaces and the post processing necessary to smooth those surfaces.

Applications of LOM objects:

• LOM objects are durable, multilayered structures which can be machined, sanded, polished, coated and painted.
• Used as precise patterns for secondary tooling processes such as rubber moulding, sand casting and direct investment casting.
• Used for limited testing.
• Used as visual models.