LPBF: LPBF (laser powder bed fusion) is the family of 3D printing processes that use a laser to melt or fuse thin layers of powder, most often metal.
LPBF is the maker-neutral name. The ISO/ASTM 52900 terminology calls the metal version PBF-LB/M, and brand names include DMLS from EOS and SLM, first used by SLM Solutions. Machines with several lasers split the bed between them to build faster.
What it means for the price
The cost drivers are laser time (the volume and area melted in each layer), recoat time per layer (set by build height), the machine’s hourly cost, inert gas, powder, and post-processing: heat treatment, removal from the plate, support removal, machining and inspection. Because recoat time is shared across the build, putting several parts on one plate lowers the price of each. Metal parts cannot be stacked freely like polymer SLS parts, though, because each needs supports anchoring it to the plate.
Example: a plate of 12 identical brackets shares one set of recoat cycles, while the laser time still grows with all twelve. The figures are an example.
Common confusions
SLS on its own normally means polymer powder. LPBF covers polymer and metal in principle, but in practice the term is used for metal. Binder jetting also starts from a powder bed but glues the powder instead of melting it. Quotometry prices metal powder bed fusion today, with every metal line reviewed by default; read what metal 3D printing costs.
Go deeper: What drives the cost of metal 3D printing (DMLS and LPBF)