Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)

lom

Laminated Object Manufacturing is a rapid prototyping system developed by Helisys Inc that layers of adhesive-coated paper, plastic, or metal laminates are successively glued together and cut to shape with a knife or laser cutter. Objects printed with this technique are additionally modified by machining or drilling after printing. Typical layer resolution for this process is defined by the material feedstock and usually ranges in thickness from one to a few sheets of copy paper.

The process is performed and repeated as follows:

  1. Sheet is adhered to a substrate with a heated roller.
  2. Laser traces desired dimensions of prototype.
  3. Laser cross hatches non-part area to facilitate waste removal.
  4. Platform with completed layer moves down out of the way.
  5. Fresh sheet of material is rolled into position.
  6. Platform moves up into position to receive next layer.