Introduction To Additive Manufacturing Technologies

Abstract

This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of additive manufacturing, spanning the evolution of technologies from inception to contemporary applications across industries. Process chains from digital design to final production are outlined, noting considerations that inform part functionality. Classifications of additive techniques based on materials, layering approaches, and applications demonstrate the diversity of methods available. Core design principles around geometry freedoms, anisotropic properties, quality management, and cost provide pragmatic guidance on adopting AM. Transformative case studies across aerospace, medical, automotive, and consumer goods underscore additive manufacturing's potential for unlocked innovation, mass customization, lightweighting, and supply chain resilience. Discussions on pre-processing, post-processing, and future directions highlight indispensability of quality infrastructure and circulative thinking for additive techniques to responsibly scale up. © 2024 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.