Using a technique called selective laser sintering, researchers have discovered a method to produce components for scientific setups in a very fast and easy way. In the picture, we see an atomic force microscope head, a commonly used instrument in nanotechnology. Robert Lugmaier extensively compared conventionally manufacturing AFMs with laser sintered AFMs and found that both worked equally well, although the latter wore out faster. The lesser cost, however, makes all the difference. AFM heads typically cost tens of thousands of dollars.