The world of additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is constantly evolving. The technology was invented less than 35 years ago yet has come a long way. What began as a unique, though limited, way to develop low-end prototypes, has exploded into a critical component of the product development and manufacturing process with the ability to produce end-use parts for critical applications in markets such as industrial and aerospace and defense. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To help our customers and the larger technology community stay abreast of the changing world of additive manufacturing, we launched a glossary of the most important terms in the industry that you can bookmark here<\/a> for easy access. To make it easier to digest, we\u2019re also starting a blog series outlining ten terms to know in different sub-categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For our first post in the series, here are the top ten terms\nfor Additive Manufacturing Processes <\/strong>that our experts think everyone\nshould know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Binder Jetting<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Any additive manufacturing process that uses a binder to\nchemically bond powder where the binder is placed on the top layer of powder\nthrough small jets, usually using inkjet technology. One of the seven standard\ncategories defined by ASTM International (www.ASTM.org) for additive\nmanufacturing processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DigitalLight Synthesis (DLS)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A type of vat photopolymerization additive\nmanufacturing process where a projector under a transparent build\nplate shines ultraviolet light onto the build layer, which\nis against the transparent build plate. The part is then pulled\nupward so that a new layer of liquid fills between the build\nplate and the part, and the process is repeated. Digital light\nsynthesis is a continuous build process that does not create distinct layers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n DirectLaser Melting (DLM) or Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A type of powder bed fusion additive manufacturing\nprocess where a laser beam is used to melt powder material. The\nbeam is directed across the top layer of powder. The liquid material\nsolidifies to create the desired part. A new layer of powder is\nplaced on top, and the process is repeated. Also called laser powder bed\nfusion, metal powder bed fusion, or direct metal laser sintering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DirectedEnergy Deposition (DED)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n An additive manufacturing process where metal\npowder is jetted, or wire is extruded from a CNC controlled three or\nfive-axis nozzle. The solid material is then melted by an energy source,\nusually a laser or electron beam, such that the liquid metal\ndeposits onto the previous layers (or build plate) and then cools to a\nsolid. One of the ASTM defined standard categories for additive\nmanufacturing processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FusedDeposition Modeling (FDM)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A type of material extrusion additive manufacturing process\nwhere a continuous filament of thermoplastic material is fed into a heated\nextruder and deposited on the current build layer. It is the trademarked name\nused for systems manufactured by the process inventor, Stratasys. Fused\nfilament fabrication is the generic term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n LaserPowder Bed Fusion (L-PBF)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A type of powder bed fusion additive\nmanufacturing process where a laser is used to melt material on\nthe top layer of a powder bed. Also called metal powder bed\nfusion or direct laser melting. Most often used to melt metal powder\nbut is used with plastics as with selective laser sintering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n LaserEngineered Net Shaping (LENS)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A type of direct energy deposition additive\nmanufacturing process where a powder is directed into a\nhigh-energy laser beam and melted before it is deposited on\nthe build layer. Also called laser powder forming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MaterialJetting<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Any additive manufacturing process where build\nor support material is jetted through multiple small nozzles whose\nposition is computer controlled to lay down material to create a layer.\nOne of the ASTM defined standard categories for additive\nmanufacturing processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n StereolithographyApparatus (SLA)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A type of vat photopolymerization additive\nmanufacturing where a laser is used to draw a path on the\ncurrent layer, converting the liquid polymer into a solid. Stereolithography\nwas the first commercially available additive manufacturing process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n VatPolymerization<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A class of additive manufacturing processes that utilizes\nthe hardening of a photopolymer with ultraviolet light. A vat of liquid is\nfilled with liquid photopolymer resin, and ultraviolet light is either traced\non the build surface or projected on it. Stereolithography is the most common\nform of vat photopolymerization. The build layer can be on the top of the vat\nof liquid or the bottom. One of the ASTM defined standard categories for\nadditive manufacturing processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We hope this new blog series will help to firm up your\nknowledge of the ever-evolving world of additive manufacturing. For a list of\nall of the key terms and definitions in the additive manufacturing world,\nplease visit our new glossary page at https:\/\/www.3dprinting-glossary.com\/<\/a>.\nThe glossary allows you to search by terms or download a PDF of the glossary in\nits entirety to use as a reference guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We also know that there are a ton of experts in our\ncommunity with knowledge to share. If you notice a term missing from our\nglossary or an inaccurate\/incomplete description, please visit the suggestions\npage at https:\/\/www.3dprinting-glossary.com\/suggest-a-correction-clarification-or-new-term\/<\/a>\nand drop us a note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subscribe<\/a> to the\nPADT blog or check back soon for the next installment in our series of \u201cTop Ten\nTerms to Know in Additive Manufacturing.\u201d We also welcome your feedback or\nquestions. Just drop us a line at here<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The world of additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is constantly evolving. The technology was invented less than 35 years ago […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":23301,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[222,515,2377,2378,1213,2379,2380,1418,575,596,2311,576,2381,2041,2382,1762,2383,1256,600,602,1026,2114],"post-podcast":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.padtinc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32754"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.padtinc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.padtinc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.padtinc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.padtinc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32754"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.padtinc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32754\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.padtinc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23301"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.padtinc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32754"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.padtinc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32754"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.padtinc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32754"},{"taxonomy":"post-podcast","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.padtinc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post-podcast?post=32754"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}