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MCP-HEK (Germany) is now marketing the RealizerTM selective laser melting (SLM) system. The technology was originally developed by the Fraunhofer Institutes and initial commercialization was done by F + S (Fockele & Schwartze), both also of Germany. The process is similar to selective laser sintering, but in contrast fully melts metal or ceramic powders to directly form fully-dense parts. According to MCP, no post processing steps such as burnout or infiltration are required as with the porous parts produced by SLS.     An injection mold core and cavity set showing sharp edge definition, and a photo of the the RealizerTM system. MCP says almost any metal or ceramic powder can be used, and the photo at the top of the page shows the very high polish achievable. The process is capable of forming conformal cooling channels for such items as injection molds and is also being applied to short production runs for direct manufacturing. Layer thickness is about 20 microns (0.0008 inches) resulting in sharp edge definition. For more info contact: MCP - HEK Tooling GmbH Euro Tech Center Kaarst Novesiastrasse 31 41564 Kaarst Germany Tel. ++49 2131 510 560 Fax. ++49 2131 510 5632 Euro-Tech-Center@mcp-group.de