Renishaw RenAM 500S

The Renishaw RenAM 500S is a single-laser metal powder bed fusion system built by the world’s leading metrology company. Renishaw’s approach to additive manufacturing is heavily influenced by their precision measurement DNA — the RenAM 500S integrates in-process monitoring, automated powder handling, and a sealed optical system designed to deliver consistent, repeatable builds for production applications rather than prototyping.

Build volume is 250 x 250 x 350 mm (9.8 x 9.8 x 13.8 in) with a single 500W ytterbium fiber laser. Layer thickness ranges from 20 to 100 microns depending on material and application. The system processes a range of reactive and non-reactive metals including titanium alloys (Ti6Al4V), nickel superalloys (IN718, IN625), cobalt chrome, aluminum alloys (AlSi10Mg), stainless steels (316L, 17-4PH), and tool steels. Laser spot size is 70 microns at the focal point.

Renishaw’s InfiniAM monitoring suite is integrated into the RenAM 500S, providing real-time melt pool monitoring, powder bed imaging, and build environment data logging. This gives quality engineers the data needed for process validation in regulated industries like aerospace and medical devices where part traceability and build repeatability documentation are mandatory.

The automated powder handling system is fully enclosed and inerted, minimizing operator exposure to metal powders — a critical safety consideration when working with reactive materials like titanium. Powder is sieved and recirculated automatically, reducing waste and manual handling. The build chamber maintains an argon or nitrogen atmosphere below 100 ppm oxygen.

New RenAM 500S systems typically price between $400,000 and $600,000 depending on material packages and monitoring options. The multi-laser variant (RenAM 500Q with four 500W lasers) pushes $900,000-$1.2 million. Used single-laser units from 2018-2021 trade for $250,000-$400,000. Key competitors include the SLM 280, EOS M 290, and Trumpf TruPrint 2000.