Metal Additive Manufacturing / 3D printing: An introduction

Metal Additive Manufacturing / 3D printing offers the possibility to produce complex parts without the design constraints of traditional manufacturing routes

Additive Manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, additive layer manufacturing or rapid prototyping (less so in modern contexts), is defined as “the process of joining materials to make parts from 3D model data, usually layer upon layer, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing and formative manufacturing methodologies” (ISO/ASTM 52900:2021).

The metal 3D printing or Additive Manufacturing process is ‘additive’ in nature, with layers being successively added to build a part, as opposed to ‘subtractive’ technologies, where material is removed or shaped by machining, milling or forming. Importantly, in Additive Manufacturing the part geometry is always digitally defined and based on digital 3D model data from a computer-aided design (CAD) program.

Additive Manufacturing technology offers many advantages over more traditional manufacturing technologies. The ability to selectively deposit materials only where they are needed means that parts can be much more complex in design, and lighter weight, which can dramatically improve performance. The process is toolless, and so ideally suited for one-off or personalised products, unlike processes such as casting and injection molding that require significant up-front investment in tooling, with little ability to iterate product designs or provide any product differentiation.

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Read our guide to metal Additive Manufacturing / metal 3D printing

The following guide to metal 3D Printing will introduce you to the history of metal AM, list the main types of metal Additive Manufacturing process, discuss some of the main applications for metal 3D printing technology, and outline the current state of the metal 3D printing industry.

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This introduction to metal Additive Manufacturing / metal 3D printing was authored for metal-am.com by Alex Kingsbury.

A picture of Alex Kingsbury

Alex Kingsbury is a well-known technical expert and social commentator on all things 3D printing. Alex has worked in Additive Manufacturing in technology leadership roles for over ten years, having previously served as a Research Leader of Additive Manufacturing at CSIRO, and as an Additive Manufacturing Industry Fellow at RMIT University.

For the last six years Alex has maintained Additive Economics, a private consultancy, to provide expert, strategic advice to investment firms, company boards, and government agencies on the commercialisation of and investment in advanced manufacturing technologies. Alex is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Engineering from RMIT University.

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Extensive AM industry news coverage, as well as the following exclusive deep-dive articles:

  • The GRCop story: The development, production and Additive Manufacturing of NASA’s rocket engine alloys
  • Formnext 2023: Innovations in metal Additive Manufacturing from the industry’s leading international exhibition
  • Cybersecurity in Additive Manufacturing: Securing the industry’s future
  • Additive Manufacturing in the jewellery industry: exploring the potential of platinum and titanium
  • Mission possible: The five-year plan to gain FAA and EASA acceptance of in-process monitoring

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The free to access Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of metal Additive Manufacturing from a commercial and technological perspective through:

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  • Articles on technology and application trends
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  • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
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