The differences between additive manufacturing and 3D printing

For current technology, the main method of additive manufacturing is 3D printing technology. However, it should be noted that additive manufacturing ≠ 3D printing.

Additive manufacturing is a 3D model that is designed or scanned, cut into an infinite number of sections according to a certain coordinate axis, and then printed out layer by layer and stacked together according to the original position to form a solid three-dimensional model. Additive manufacturing can: 1. Manufacture complex objects. (Without the limitations of traditional processing) 2. Product diversification without increasing costs. (One printer, no need to change the mold) 3. Short production cycle. 4. No space, portable manufacturing. 5. Zero-skill manufacturing 6. Save materials. (No waste, return materials, etc.) 7. Accurate entity replication. (3D photo studio)

Additive manufacturing is a manufacturing technology that integrates computer-aided design, material processing and forming technology, and uses digital model files as the basis. It uses software and numerical control systems to stack and solidify special materials layer by layer to produce physical products. It is precisely because of this technical feature of additive manufacturing that it has attracted widespread attention from the world and may bring a series of profound changes to the traditional manufacturing industry. There are six major technologies in additive manufacturing: 1. CE photopolymerization molding technology additive manufacturing 2. Sintering and melting as the basic principle 3. Powder-binder as the basic principle 4. FDM: fused deposition modeling 5. Aerosol printing technology 6. Cell 3D printing

Do you understand additive manufacturing now? Still confused about the relationship between additive manufacturing and 3D printing? Let's see what the experts say: Standards organization ASTM International equates the two terms in its definition: "Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, uses computer-aided design to build objects layer by layer." Wikipedia states, "Today, the accuracy, repeatability, and range of materials have increased to the point where 3D printing is considered an industrial production technology, with the name additive manufacturing." Author Dave Turbide simply says that additive manufacturing is "the industrial version of 3D printing."

Putting these and other definitions together, we can start to see the differences that exist between 3D printing and additive manufacturing. In the narrowest sense, the two terms refer to the same thing: adding parts directly from CAD. They are synonyms, both useful and co-existing in largely overlapping domains. Currently, "3D printing" is a term used by shops and factories. Today our concept of "3D printing" is much broader, but the term is usually associated with filament-based plastic printers, which are the pride and joy of many hobbyists and self-described makers. But there are also binder inkjet printers, laser metal 3D printers, and glass and clay 3D printers...

And “additive manufacturing” refers to both enterprise and supply chain. Additive manufacturing is flexible in the time it takes to load files from anywhere in the world. It enables mass customization of parts, and raw materials such as filaments and printed spare parts can be stored as needed. Additive manufacturing technology enables designs that are not possible with subtractive manufacturing techniques, such as hollow designs with infill or topology optimized designs. In this way, additive manufacturing will take all the design and production possibilities of 3D printing and apply them to engineering, manufacturing, and supply chains.