What does additive manufacturing commonly refer to?

Additive manufacturing commonly refers to the process of creating objects layer by layer, which is a hallmark of this innovative manufacturing technique. This process begins with a digital model and builds the physical object by adding material incrementally, as opposed to traditional subtractive manufacturing methods that remove material from a solid block. The additive approach allows for greater design freedom, enabling the production of complex geometries that would be challenging or impossible to achieve through traditional means.

This layered construction method is utilized in several applications, from prototyping to final production parts, across various industries such as aerospace, automotive, and healthcare. Technologies commonly associated with additive manufacturing include 3D printing techniques like Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). The ability to create customized, lightweight, and intricate designs efficiently showcases the significant advantages additive manufacturing offers, distinguishing it as a transformative process in modern manufacturing.