Abstract: This paper summarized the research and development on laser direct manufacturing (LDM) metallic components based on laser cladding technology. The various direct manufacturing methods were introduced with the main emphasis on laser clad based manufacturing technology and its important technological constitutes: high quality coaxial nozzle,optimization of the laser cladding technique and the closed loop control of the process. The typical metallic components produced and the main application fields of LDM were demonstrated. The further research interests on LDM were proposed.