Renishaw RenAM 500S
Key Specifications
laser power
laser type
build volume
powder layer thickness
typical processing speed
beam focus diameter
How much does the Renishaw RenAM 500S cost?
Estimated price range
Our best estimate for a metal additive manufacturing in this class — not a quote from Renishaw. Configuration moves it a long way.
Overview
The Renishaw RenAM 500S is a laser powder bed fusion machine with one 500 W ytterbium fibre laser working a build volume of 250 mm × 250 mm × 350 mm (9.8 in × 9.8 in × 13.8 in). The RenAM 500Q has the same build volume and 4 × 500 W, so choosing between the two is a question of how many beams work the bed at once, not of part size.
With one laser, every vector of every layer is drawn by the same beam, and its characteristics define the machine. Beam focus diameter is 80 μm with dynamic focus, and the dynamic focus can open the spot up to 500 μm. Typical processing speed is 2 m/s (6.6 ft/s), with a maximum of 10 m/s (32.8 ft/s). The beam wavelength is 1,070 nm to 1,080 nm and the laser can be modulated at up to 20 kHz. A single beam also means a part contains no boundary between the fields of different lasers.
Powder layer thickness runs from 20 μm to 120 μm. The thin end serves fine detail and surface quality; the thick end shortens a build, and on a one-laser machine layer thickness is the main lever on build time. The optical module is sealed to IP5X.
Renishaw lists 15 minutes to prepare the build chamber atmosphere to < 1,000 ppm oxygen, and argon consumption of < 0.8 L/min (1.8 ft³/h) once running. The machine weighs 1,950 kg (4,300 lb), against 2,040 kg (4,498 lb) for the RenAM 500Q.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Laser Power | 1 × 500 W |
| Laser Type | Ytterbium fibre |
| Build Volume | 250 mm × 250 mm × 350 mm (9.8 in × 9.8 in × 13.8 in) |
| Powder Layer Thickness | 20 μm to 120 μm |
| Typical Processing Speed | 2 m/s (6.6 ft/s) (maximum 10 m/s (32.8 ft/s)) |
| Beam Focus Diameter | 80 μm with dynamic focus |
| Dynamic Focus Diameter | Up to 500 μm |
| Beam Wavelength | 1,070 nm to 1,080 nm |
| Laser Modulation Frequency Max | 20 kHz |
| Time to Prepare Build Chamber Atmosphere | 15 minutes (to < 1,000 ppm oxygen) |
| System Fill Purge Consumption | < 1,200 L (43 ft³) |
| Max Argon Consumption During Fill | 400 L/min (14.12 ft³/min) |
| Running Argon Consumption | < 0.8 L/min (1.8 ft³/h) |
| Working Pressure in Chamber | 10 mbar-gauge to 20 mbar-gauge |
| Power Supply | 380 V to 480 V AC, 63 A, 50 Hz to 60 Hz, 3-phase |
| Ideal Operating Temperature | 18 °C to 22 °C (64 °F to 72 °F) |
| Ideal Relative Humidity | < 60% (maximum < 80%) |
| Machine Weight | 1,950 kg (4,300 lb) |
| Machine Length | 2,165 mm (86 in) |
| Machine Width | 1,236 mm (49 in) |
| Machine Height | 2,130 mm (84 in) |
| Clearance Under Machine | 146 mm (5.75 in) |
| Optical Module Sealing | IP5X |
| Noise Level | ≤ 70 dB |
Specifications sourced from renishaw.com — verified 2026-10-03
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- One 500 W ytterbium fibre laser covers the whole 250 mm × 250 mm × 350 mm (9.8 in × 9.8 in × 13.8 in) build volume, with no boundary between laser fields in the part
- 80 μm beam focus diameter with dynamic focus, adjustable up to 500 μm
- Powder layer thickness from 20 μm to 120 μm
- Typical processing speed of 2 m/s (6.6 ft/s), with a maximum of 10 m/s (32.8 ft/s)
- At 1,950 kg (4,300 lb) it is lighter than the RenAM 500Q at 2,040 kg (4,498 lb)
Limitations
- A single laser exposes every layer alone, where the RenAM 500Q has 4 × 500 W over the same build volume
- Build height stops at 350 mm (13.8 in) and the bed at 250 mm × 250 mm (9.8 in × 9.8 in)
- Filling the chamber draws up to 400 L/min (14.12 ft³/min) of argon, far above the running rate of < 0.8 L/min (1.8 ft³/h)
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
One. Renishaw lists the laser power as 1 × 500 W, from an ytterbium fibre laser with a wavelength of 1,070 nm to 1,080 nm. The RenAM 500Q is the multi-laser version, listed at 4 × 500 W over the same build volume.
02
The beam focus diameter is 80 μm with dynamic focus. The dynamic focus diameter is listed as up to 500 μm, so the spot can be widened under program control. Maximum laser modulation frequency is 20 kHz.
03
Powder layer thickness is listed from 20 μm to 120 μm. Thin layers favour detail and surface finish, and thick layers reduce the number of layers in a build. With one laser doing all the exposure, the layer choice has a direct effect on build time.
04
Renishaw gives a typical processing speed of 2 m/s (6.6 ft/s) and a maximum of 10 m/s (32.8 ft/s). These are beam speeds across the powder bed, not build rates; the table does not give a volume per hour.
05
Laser count and weight. The RenAM 500S has 1 × 500 W and weighs 1,950 kg (4,300 lb). The RenAM 500Q has 4 × 500 W and weighs 2,040 kg (4,498 lb). Both have a build volume of 250 mm × 250 mm × 350 mm (9.8 in × 9.8 in × 13.8 in).
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