Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) is considered a crown jewel in the field of 3D printing technology. This technology uses lasers to melt and deposit metal powder, resulting in structures with densities exceeding 99%, approaching the material density of forged parts. Internationally, this technology is primarily used to manufacture high-stress components and complex, irregular parts that are impossible to produce using traditional methods. It achieves 90% to 95% of the strength of the same grade of metal, features high precision and minimal forming limitations, and is widely used in the manufacturing of high-end precision components and other fields.

For a long time, direct metal laser sintering technology has been controlled by a small number of 3D printing giants in Germany, the United States, and other countries. In August 2014, the Kunming branch of the 705th Institute established the Additive Manufacturing Business Department—the U3 team—to specialize in the research and development of this technology. By introducing excellent technical teams from both domestic and international sources, the team accelerated the research and development of key technologies in additive manufacturing-related fields such as "mechanical structure, intelligent control, software engineering, and new materials." After completing the development and finalization of the fused deposition modeling (FDM) printer, the team focused its efforts on breaking through the metal laser sintering technology. After a year of research and development, the team successfully completed the trial production of the first prototype of direct metal laser sintering technology with independent intellectual property rights.