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Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)

Description

Laminated object manufacturing is a rapid prototyping system developed by Helisys Inc. In it, layers of adhesive-coated paper, plastic, or metal laminates are successively glued together and cut to shape with a knife or laser cutter.
Like all 3D-printed objects, models made with a LOM system start out as CAD files. Before a model is printed, its CAD file must be converted to a format that a 3D printer can understand — usually STL or 3DS.

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The main components of the system are a feed mechanism that advances a sheet over a build platform, a heated roller to apply pressure to bond the sheet to the layer below, and a laser to cut the outline of the part in each sheet layer. Parts are produced by stacking, bonding, and cutting layers of adhesive-coated sheet material on top of the previous one. 

 A laser cuts the outline of the part into each layer. After each cut is completed, the platform lowers by a depth equal to the sheet thickness (typically 0.002-0.020 in), and another sheet is advanced on top of the previously deposited layers. The platform then rises slightly and the heated roller applies pressure to bond the new layer. The laser cuts the outline and the process is repeated until the part is completed. After a layer is cut, the extra material remains in place to support the part during build.

 In laminated object manufacturing (LOM), parts are built by lamination of sheet feedstock, which is laser cut along contours defined by the tool path (Klosterman et al. 1996).

  In LOM of ceramics, ceramic tapes are used as the feedstock. The tapes are sprayed with a solvent and then stacked. The solvent acts as an adhesive, thus bonding the tapes together. A laser is then used to cut the tape according to the tool path file. A heated roller is used to further bond the tapes through thermocompression. 

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