Renishaw RenAM 500Q

$1,100,000 - $1,400,000 Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

build volume

250 x 250 x 350 mm (9.8 x 9.8 x 13.8 in)

laser type

Yb-fiber laser

laser power

4 x 500 W

number of lasers

4 (full-field architecture)

focus diameter

~80 µm

layer thickness

20 - 100 µm (material dependent)

Overview

The Renishaw RenAM 500Q is a quad-laser metal additive manufacturing system with a 250 x 250 x 350 mm build volume, representing Renishaw's flagship production-scale LPBF platform. Four 500 W Yb-fiber lasers operate simultaneously across the full build area in a full-field configuration, delivering build rates up to four times that of the single-laser AM400 or RenAM 500S. The RenAM 500Q competes directly with the EOS M 300-4 and SLM Solutions SLM 280 2.0 twin-laser in the high-throughput mid-frame LPBF segment.

Renishaw's optical design for the RenAM 500Q places all four laser sources in a single integrated optical module above the build chamber. Each laser can address the full 250 x 250 mm build plate, enabling full-overlap exposure strategies where any laser can be assigned to any part at any position. This architecture avoids the zone-boundary stitching issues of split-zone multi-laser systems and allows fully flexible part nesting without concern for which laser will handle which region. In practice, the full-field approach is one of the RenAM 500Q's most significant engineering differentiators.

The RenAM 500Q features Renishaw's automated powder and waste handling systems, including integrated sieving and contained powder circulation. The SafeChange filter system allows filter changes without breaking the inert atmosphere, reducing downtime and maintaining build-to-build consistency. InfiniAM Spectral and InfiniAM Central provide comprehensive in-process monitoring with melt pool emission mapping, photodiode data, and build health analytics — data that feeds directly into part qualification documentation for aerospace and medical regulatory requirements.

Materials available for the RenAM 500Q include Ti6Al4V (standard and ELI), IN718, IN625, CoCrW, 316L and 17-4PH stainless steels, AlSi10Mg, and maraging steel 300. Renishaw's material development team has also qualified a number of application-specific alloys including high-strength steels for tooling and novel titanium compositions. New RenAM 500Q systems are priced between $1,100,000 and $1,400,000, positioning them as a premium but competitive option against the EOS M 300-4 in the quad-laser LPBF market.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Build Volume	250 x 250 x 350 mm (9.8 x 9.8 x 13.8 in)
Laser Type	Yb-fiber laser
Laser Power	4 x 500 W
Number Of Lasers	4 (full-field architecture)
Focus Diameter	~80 µm
Layer Thickness	20 - 100 µm (material dependent)
Scan Speed	Up to 10.0 m/s
Build Rate	Up to 150 cm³/h (material dependent)
Technology	Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF)
Inert Atmosphere	Nitrogen or Argon
Powder Handling	Automated with SafeChange filter and integrated sieving
Monitoring	InfiniAM Spectral (melt pool), InfiniAM Central (analytics)
Materials	Ti6Al4V, IN718, IN625, CoCrW, 316L, 17-4PH, AlSi10Mg, Maraging Steel 300
Software	QuantAM
CNC Control	Renishaw proprietary
Brand	Renishaw
Model	RenAM 500Q
Category	Industrial Equipment
Language	English

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Four 500 W lasers in a full-field optical architecture give each laser access to the entire build plate, eliminating stitching seams and enabling fully flexible part nesting
InfiniAM Spectral melt pool monitoring and InfiniAM Central analytics provide the richest in-process quality dataset of any Renishaw platform for part qualification
SafeChange filter technology allows mid-build filter replacement without breaking inert atmosphere, maintaining build consistency and reducing contamination risk
Renishaw's metrology heritage translates into some of the most dimensionally precise builds in the 250 mm LPBF class

Limitations

250 x 250 mm build plate is the same size as the AM400 — the RenAM 500Q adds lasers and throughput but not build volume, which remains a constraint for larger parts
$1.1M-$1.4M price is competitive with the EOS M 300-4 which offers a slightly larger 300 x 300 mm build plate
Renishaw's AM service footprint is smaller than EOS's global network, which can affect response times in some regions

Best For

Aerospace production programs requiring dense nesting of mid-size titanium and nickel superalloy components where throughput is critical and part quality non-negotiable Medical implant manufacturers scaling production of titanium hip cups, spinal cages, and cobalt chrome knee components beyond what a single-laser system can economically deliver Service bureaus differentiating through multi-laser throughput and Renishaw's InfiniAM quality documentation for regulated-industry customers Defense contractors who need full-field laser access for flexible production of classified component geometries without zone boundary constraints

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a Renishaw RenAM 500Q cost?

New RenAM 500Q systems typically sell for $1,100,000 to $1,400,000 depending on configuration and options. Annual service and support contracts typically run $80,000-$120,000. Factor in facility costs for inert gas supply, powder handling infrastructure, and post-processing equipment for a complete total cost of ownership estimate.

02 What is full-field laser architecture and why does it matter?

In the RenAM 500Q, all four lasers can access the entire 250 x 250 mm build plate from a single integrated optical module. Unlike zone-based systems where each laser covers only a quadrant, full-field means any laser can be assigned to any part at any position. This eliminates stitching seams at zone boundaries and allows part nesting without worrying about which laser handles which area. The result is more consistent part quality and greater flexibility in build planning.

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

The RenAM 500Q delivers roughly 3-4x the throughput of the single-laser M 290 due to its four 500 W lasers. Both have similar 250 mm class build plates. The M 290 has a larger qualified material library and bigger global service footprint. The RenAM 500Q offers superior throughput and richer in-process monitoring through InfiniAM. Choose the M 290 for material breadth and service network; choose the RenAM 500Q for throughput-driven production.

04 What is InfiniAM Spectral monitoring?

InfiniAM Spectral is Renishaw's melt pool monitoring system that captures emission intensity data from the laser melt pool on a layer-by-layer basis. It uses multiple photodetectors to map emission levels across each layer, creating a build map that can be reviewed post-build for anomaly detection. The Spectral data is complemented by InfiniAM Central, a software platform for analyzing and visualizing build health data. Together, they provide a comprehensive quality documentation package.

05 Can the RenAM 500Q run titanium and Inconel in the same machine?

Yes, but not in the same build or without thorough decontamination between material changes. Material changeover on the RenAM 500Q requires full powder removal, cleaning of the build chamber and optical system, and powder system purging. Renishaw provides material changeover protocols. In practice, production facilities typically dedicate specific machines to specific materials to maximize throughput and minimize changeover time and cross-contamination risk.