Definition of 3D printing and additive manufacturing

Summary

3D printing, also called additive manufacturing (AM), is the process of building a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or digital 3D model. It is done by depositing, joining, or solidifying material under computer control, typically by adding the material layer by layer. In this topic’s terminology, “additive manufacturing” is the umbrella term that emphasizes material being added together in various ways, while “3D printing” is often used more broadly in popular and consumer contexts. In technical and industrial settings, additive manufacturing is frequently the preferred term, and some standards organizations distinguish them by describing AM as building parts from 3D model data with layer-by-layer material addition, while “3D printing” may refer more specifically to creating objects by depositing material through a print head or nozzle-type device.

Key Points

• 1

  3D printing/additive manufacturing builds 3D objects from CAD or digital 3D model data.

• 2

  The core method is computer-controlled material deposition/solidification, usually layer by layer.

• 3

  “Additive manufacturing” is widely used as an umbrella term in industrial standards, while “3D printing” is common in public and consumer contexts.

• 4

  Some standards distinguish AM (layer-by-layer building from model data) from 3D printing (material deposition via a print head/nozzle-type device).