laminated object modeling (3D printing) (LOM)

Laminated Object Modeling(LOM) is a 3D printing technique for the rapid creation of 3D models and prototypes. In contrast to the various other 3D printing processes, Laminated Object Modeling produces the 3D model by partial lamination with thin plastic or metal foils, which are glued together in layers and trimmed with a laser beam.

The film used for lamination adheres to a substrate and is heated by a heated pressure roller. A laser beam cuts the lamination into the desired shape. After that, the foil cutout is precisely fixed on the corresponding part of the 3D model and the complete platform with the 3D model moves down. The next lamination process is then triggered.

The LOM process can be used to produce relatively large 3D models at low cost. The model accuracy is not quite as high as that of stereolithography and selective laser sintering( SLS).