Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies use raw materials like metals, plastics, and liquids to create physical objects based on 3D computer models. Different types of AM technologies are suitable for different industries, with some found in industrial settings and others used in commercial or hobbyist settings. Laser sintering and electron beam melting are common industrial methods, while inkjet 3D printers are often used for rapid prototyping.
There are several additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, which are generally grouped according to the type of raw materials or the method used to transform those materials into finished products. Some of the common raw materials used in these processes include metals, plastics, and other substances in the form of liquids, sheets, powders, and filaments. The most common types of additive manufacturing technology used to process such raw materials include inkjets, aerosol jetting, electron beam melting (EBM), and laser sintering. Some of these methods are mostly found in industrial settings. Other types of additive manufacturing technology, such as inkjet three-dimensional (3D) printers, are often found in commercial settings and can also be built by hobbyists.
Additive manufacturing is a category of processes that build physical objects based on 3D computer models. This can be contrasted with traditional subtractive manufacturing techniques, such as machining, which involves removing material from an object or piece until the desired shape is achieved. There are different types of additive manufacturing technologies, each of which is typically designed to use a certain class of raw materials. This makes additive manufacturing useful in a number of industries, as different techniques are suitable for producing many types of objects.
One type of additive manufacturing technology uses lasers to sinter metal into a variety of objects. This technology typically involves using a laser to heat metal in a molten pool, after which more metal is added. The laser is typically worked into the surface of the pool as new material is added, so that a desired object can be sintered from the molten metal. Some technologies that use this general technique are direct metal laser sintering and selective laser sintering.
Electron beam melting is another additive manufacturing technology that can create metal components. This method uses metal powder, which is melted by an electron beam. The powder is usually melted in a vacuum and formed into three-dimensional shapes layer by layer. Like laser sintering, this method is typically limited to industrial settings.
There are also a number of additive manufacturing technologies that are often used in commercial settings and even by hobbyists. Inkjet additive manufacturing technology is somewhat similar to traditional inkjet printers, and the machines that use the method are called 3D printers. This method typically makes use of liquid or powdered plastic materials, which are applied in thin layers to create a three-dimensional object. These devices can be used to create finished products, although they are also often used for rapid prototyping.
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