Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) is an additive manufacturing technique that uses a carbon dioxide laser fired into a magnesium substrate to sinter powdered material (typically metal), aiming the laser automatically at points in space defined by a 3D model, binding the material together to create a solid structure. DMLS parts are made by a laser systematically melting or sintering a 20 or 30 micron thin layer of powdered metal on to another layer. Once a layer is finished, the sintered part descends into the powder bed. A recoater arm then passes over the freshly deposited powder before the laser begins to sinter the next layer.