Seven Types of Additive Manufacturing

Additive Manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, builds parts through a CAD generated 3D model by adding single layers of material and fusing the layers together. AM first emerged in 1987 and has been steadily growing ever since, with more leaps and bounds in recent years. As companies invent and introduce new AM techniques, they tend to create unique marketing terms for their process, even though the core techniques are similar. Having different names for similar methods can easily lead to confusion in the marketplace. In the post, we will identify the core techniques and their advantages and disadvantages. 

Per ISO/ASTM standards, AM divides the techniques used to create the layers into seven categories, of which the first four on the list are suitable for metals.

1.      Binder jetting

2.      Directed Energy Deposition

3.      Powder Bed Fusion

4.      Sheet Lamination

5.      Material Extrusion

6.      Material Jetting

7.      Vat Photo Polymerization