Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is the process of creating a three-dimensional object from a digital 3D model or a CAD model. It can be done in a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined, or solidified under computer control. Unlike subtractive manufacturing processes such as machining, where parts are created by removing material, additive manufacturing builds geometries by "adding" feedstock such as filament, wire, or powder. The process involves building an object one layer at a time, and it can refer to any process where a product is created by building something up.
Additive manufacturing has rapidly gained importance in the field of engineering due to its many benefits. Some of these benefits include:
-
Design flexibility: Additive manufacturing provides greater geometric freedoms compared to subtractive processes like milling, and it does not require a mold or other tooling to create a part.
-
Reduced waste and material costs: Additive manufacturing can cut waste and materials costs by up to 90% compared to traditional manufacturing methods.
-
Improved energy productivity: Additive manufacturing reduces energy use by 25% .
-
Rapid prototyping: Without the setup costs of creating a new product, entrepreneurs can quickly additively manufacture objects or parts to see if they work as needed. If they don’t, they can iterate and try again.
Additive manufacturing can utilize a growing catalog of materials including metal alloys, thermoplastics, thermoset polymers, and composites. It has been used to create functional products, and some 3D printing processes are considered viable as an industrial-production technology.
