Renishaw AM400

$500,000 - $700,000 Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

build volume

250 x 250 x 300 mm (9.8 x 9.8 x 11.8 in)

laser type

IPG Yb-fiber laser

laser power

400 W

number of lasers

focus diameter

70 µm or 80 µm (beam shaping options)

layer thickness

20 - 100 µm (material dependent)

Overview

The Renishaw AM400 is a single-laser metal powder bed fusion system with a 250 x 250 x 300 mm build volume, designed for research, development, and low-to-mid volume production of precision metal components. As the predecessor to the RenAM 500 series and the entry point into Renishaw's metal AM ecosystem, the AM400 has found a strong following in universities, aerospace research centers, medical device developers, and companies evaluating laser powder bed fusion before scaling to higher-throughput platforms.

The AM400 uses a 400 W IPG Yb-fiber laser with a reduced beam diameter option for fine features, or a larger spot for higher productivity — a beam shaping flexibility that distinguishes Renishaw's optical approach from fixed-spot competitors. The machine uses a downward-pointing laser configuration through Renishaw's RECOAT and SafeChange powder handling systems, designed to minimize operator exposure to metal powder. Renishaw has always placed strong emphasis on powder handling safety, and the AM400 incorporates contained powder management with internal sieving as standard.

Renishaw's approach to the AM400 is characterized by engineering precision — the company's metrology heritage is evident in the rigorous attention to dimensional accuracy and process consistency. The QuantAM build preparation software provides full control over exposure parameters and supports Renishaw's reduced-build-volume (RBV) capability, which allows smaller test builds using a 78 x 78 mm insert plate. This significantly reduces powder consumption and build time for parameter development, making the AM400 an efficient R&D tool even for low-powder-budget operations.

Safe and streamlined powder handling through the SafeChange filter system, inert atmosphere using nitrogen or argon, and Renishaw's InfiniAM real-time process monitoring make the AM400 a technically complete package. Materials qualified for the AM400 include Ti6Al4V, IN718, CoCrW, 316L stainless steel, AlSi10Mg, and maraging steel 300. At a new system price of approximately $500,000 to $700,000, the AM400 is priced above entry-level alternatives but below the multi-laser RenAM 500Q, positioning it as the right tool for serious research and small-series production.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Build Volume	250 x 250 x 300 mm (9.8 x 9.8 x 11.8 in)
Laser Type	IPG Yb-fiber laser
Laser Power	400 W
Number Of Lasers	1
Focus Diameter	70 µm or 80 µm (beam shaping options)
Layer Thickness	20 - 100 µm (material dependent)
Technology	Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF)
Inert Atmosphere	Nitrogen or Argon
Powder Handling	Contained system with SafeChange filter and internal sieving
Reduced Build Volume	78 x 78 mm insert (QuantAM RBV for parameter development)
Monitoring	InfiniAM real-time process monitoring
Materials	Ti6Al4V, IN718, CoCrW, 316L, AlSi10Mg, Maraging Steel 300
Software	QuantAM
CNC Control	Renishaw proprietary

Specifications sourced from renishaw.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Reduced-build-volume (RBV) 78 x 78 mm insert enables parameter development with minimal powder consumption, reducing R&D costs significantly
Renishaw's precision engineering heritage delivers exceptional dimensional accuracy and build consistency — one of the tightest tolerance LPBF platforms in its class
SafeChange filter system and contained powder handling prioritize operator safety with minimal exposure to metal powder during routine operation
InfiniAM real-time process monitoring provides in-process quality data essential for regulated aerospace and medical applications

Limitations

Single 400 W laser limits throughput to R&D and low-volume production — not suitable for high-volume serial production without multiple machines
$500K-$700K positions the AM400 above many single-laser LPBF alternatives for similar build volume and laser power
Renishaw's AM division is a smaller operation than EOS or SLM Solutions, which means a more limited global service and applications engineering footprint

Best For

Aerospace and defense R&D centers developing new LPBF processes, materials, and design strategies for flight-critical applications Medical device manufacturers prototyping and qualifying titanium implants, cobalt chrome instruments, and stainless steel surgical devices Universities and research institutions requiring a precision-engineering-grade LPBF platform with open process monitoring for publication-quality research Companies already using Renishaw metrology equipment who prefer a single-vendor ecosystem for manufacturing and inspection

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the difference between the Renishaw AM400 and RenAM 500Q?

The AM400 is a single-laser system with a 250 x 250 x 300 mm build volume, designed primarily for R&D and small-series production. The RenAM 500Q uses four 500 W lasers across a 250 x 250 x 350 mm build plate, delivering approximately 4x the throughput for production applications. The AM400 is priced lower and better suited to process development; the RenAM 500Q is the production choice.

02 What is the Reduced Build Volume (RBV) feature?

Renishaw's RBV is a 78 x 78 mm build plate insert for the AM400 that allows small parameter development builds using a fraction of the powder required for a full build. This is particularly valuable for expensive alloys (titanium, Inconel) where a full build plate's worth of powder can cost thousands of dollars. RBV builds can be set up, run, and analyzed quickly, accelerating parameter optimization.

03 Does the Renishaw AM400 use argon or nitrogen?

The AM400 supports both argon and nitrogen atmospheres. Argon is used for most reactive metals and provides a slightly more inert environment; nitrogen is used for certain stainless steels, cobalt chrome, and some aluminum alloys. The choice depends on the material and the required purity level. Renishaw provides guidance on atmosphere selection for each qualified material.

04 What is InfiniAM monitoring?

InfiniAM is Renishaw's suite of process monitoring tools for their metal AM systems. It includes melt pool monitoring (emission intensity mapping layer by layer), gas flow monitoring, and system health diagnostics. Data from InfiniAM builds is used for part qualification documentation and process deviation detection. It is standard on the AM400 and integrates with Renishaw's wider manufacturing data ecosystem.

05 Is the Renishaw AM400 still in production?

Renishaw has shifted its primary focus to the RenAM 500 series (500M, 500S, 500Q) as its current production lineup. The AM400 may be available as new-old-stock or refurbished units depending on region, and the installed base continues to be supported by Renishaw's service organization. For new customers, Renishaw's commercial team typically guides buyers toward the RenAM 500S for comparable single-laser capability.