ABSTRACTThe performances achieved by Rapid Prototyping techniques are progressively leading towards Rapid Manufacturing, that is the capability to produce end products, directly from the CAD model. Even so, the diffusion of these techniques is hardly supported by scientific knowledge about the micro-mechanisms ruling the macroscopic performances of the part. In the present research, mechanical performances of new materials produced by Direct Laser Sintering technique have been studied: a Polyamide and an innovative Polyamide-Aluminium composite (Alumide). Specimens were produced with different orientations in regard to powder deposition plane and laser path, to investigate how the manufacturing anisotropy affects the part performances.