Renishaw RenAM 500Q

$600,000 - $1,000,000 (estimated) Updated 2026-03-11

Key Specifications

build volume

250 x 250 x 350 mm (9.85 x 9.85 x 13.78 in)

laser type

Yb-fiber laser

laser power

4 x 500 W

number of lasers

laser coverage

Full build plate access for all 4 lasers

build rate

Up to 150 cm³/h

Overview

The Renishaw RenAM 500Q brings quad-laser productivity to the 250 x 250 mm build platform that defines the workhorse segment of industrial metal additive manufacturing. Four 500 W lasers, each capable of reaching every point on the powder bed simultaneously, deliver build rates of up to 150 cm3/h. That is roughly double what a dual-laser system achieves and triple the output of a single-laser machine on the same build plate size. For shops that need to scale throughput without stepping up to the significantly larger and more expensive 400 mm+ platforms, the RenAM 500Q occupies a compelling middle ground.

The key differentiator is full-bed laser access. Unlike systems that partition the build area into quadrants (like the EOS M 400-4), all four lasers on the RenAM 500Q can address the entire 250 x 250 mm build plate. This eliminates stitching artifacts at laser boundaries and maximizes laser utilization regardless of part geometry or placement. In a 19-hour build, the quad-laser system can produce a part roughly twice the size of one built on a dual-laser machine, or three times the size from a single-laser platform.

Renishaw's closed-loop powder handling and automated waste management systems set the RenAM 500Q apart on safety and process consistency. The powder sieving and recirculation system operates within a sealed inert environment, minimizing operator exposure and contamination risk. The platform supports an open materials approach with melting points from 750 to 2,000 degrees C, giving users flexibility to work with a range of commercially available powder alloys including titanium, Inconel, cobalt chrome, stainless steels, and aluminum.

The RenAM 500Q competes most directly with the EOS M 290 on build plate size, but offers 3x the throughput. Against the EOS M 400-4, it trades build volume for lower cost and simpler operation. Renishaw also offers the RenAM 500Q Ultra with Tempus technology, which further increases productivity by enabling simultaneous exposure and recoating. For production-focused shops that have outgrown single-laser systems but do not need 400 mm build volume, the RenAM 500Q delivers the best throughput-per-dollar in the mid-format metal AM space.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Build Volume	250 x 250 x 350 mm (9.85 x 9.85 x 13.78 in)
Laser Type	Yb-fiber laser
Laser Power	4 x 500 W
Number Of Lasers	4
Laser Coverage	Full build plate access for all 4 lasers
Build Rate	Up to 150 cm³/h
Layer Thickness	From 20 µm
Min Feature Size	~75 µm
Technology	Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF)
Materials	Titanium, Inconel, Cobalt Chrome, Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Tool Steel (melting points 750-2,000°C)
Powder Handling	Automated closed-loop sieving and recirculation in inert atmosphere
Inert Gas	Argon
Software	Renishaw QuantAM build preparation
CNC Control	Renishaw proprietary

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Four 500 W lasers with full build plate access deliver up to 150 cm3/h, roughly 3x a comparable single-laser system
All four lasers can address every point on the powder bed, eliminating partition-based stitching artifacts
Automated closed-loop powder handling in sealed inert environment minimizes operator exposure and contamination
Open materials platform supports alloys with melting points from 750 to 2,000 degrees C
In a 19-hour build, produces parts roughly 3x the size of single-laser machines on the same platform
RenAM 500Q Ultra upgrade path adds Tempus simultaneous exposure and recoating for even higher throughput
Renishaw's metrology heritage brings precision engineering DNA to the additive platform

Limitations

250 x 250 mm build plate limits part size compared to the EOS M 400-4 or SLM NXG XII 600
Renishaw's metal AM installed base is smaller than EOS, resulting in fewer publicly available case studies and shared process parameters
Open materials approach means users may need to develop their own parameters for non-standard alloys
Four simultaneous lasers on a smaller build plate can create thermal management challenges on dense layouts
Pricing is not publicly disclosed and requires direct quotation from Renishaw

Best For

Production-focused shops scaling from single-laser systems that need higher throughput without 400 mm build volume Medical implant and dental manufacturers running titanium and cobalt chrome at production volumes Aerospace Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers producing mid-size structural and engine components Service bureaus seeking the best throughput-per-dollar on a mid-format metal AM platform Shops requiring automated powder handling for operator safety with reactive metals like titanium

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How does the RenAM 500Q compare to the EOS M 290?

Both share a similar 250 x 250 mm build plate footprint, but the RenAM 500Q's four 500 W lasers deliver roughly 3x the throughput of the M 290's single 400 W laser. The M 290 has a larger qualified material library and bigger installed base, while the RenAM 500Q offers superior productivity and full-bed laser access without stitching zones.

02 What is the RenAM 500Q Ultra?

The RenAM 500Q Ultra adds Renishaw's Tempus technology, which enables simultaneous exposure and recoating. This reduces non-productive recoat time and further increases build rates beyond the standard 500Q. It represents Renishaw's highest-productivity mid-format metal AM platform.

03 What materials can the RenAM 500Q use?

The platform supports an open materials approach for alloys with melting points from 750 to 2,000 degrees C. Renishaw offers qualified parameters for titanium Ti6Al4V, Inconel 718, cobalt chrome, stainless steels, and aluminum alloys. Users can also develop custom parameters for additional commercially available powders.

04 What does full-bed laser access mean?

Unlike systems that divide the build plate into quadrants (one laser per zone), all four lasers on the RenAM 500Q can simultaneously reach every point on the 250 x 250 mm build plate. This maximizes laser utilization regardless of part layout and eliminates stitching lines where laser zones overlap.