During the powder bed fusion process, a fine polymer or metal powder is applied to a height-adjustable table. Then the powder is bound or melted, where one slice of the 3d model of the part will be. After that another layer of powder is applied on the last layer. This whole process is repeated until all slices of the part are melted or bound. After a cooling time, the part can be removed and cleaned off the excess powder.
There are different acronyms in the market that all follow this basic principle of PBF.
Here we will use the acronyms used by ISO/ASTM 52900
PBF-LB/P powder bed fusion - laser beam with polymers
PBF-LB/M powder bed fusion - laser beam with metals
PBF-EB/M powder bed fusion - electron beam with metals