Basics of 3D Printing Technology
Why do we call it as 3D Printing technology?
When we look at Additive Manufacturing space we often hear many names for it like Additive Manufacturing (AM), 3D printing, Rapid Manufacturing (RM), Direct Manufacturing (DM), Rapid Prototyping.
There are many names for Additive manufacturing but why it is most popularly known as 3D printing?
In this case, I am using the term Additive Manufacturing for it. We can also call it RM, DM, RP. All these things are called together as Additive manufacturing.
Why do we call it as additive manufacturing?
We can see some that are very pretty, some that are medically oriented, some are used in engineering applications and some are fashionable. All these technologies seem different to us but all made using Additive manufacturing.
2D vs 3D printing
When we refer the term 3D printing I think of it as an inkjet printing moving across a sheet of paper laying down the ink to produce a finished product. When we compare that to a 3D printer we see that part is building in a similar manner but we have an additional axis which raises the nozzle to print the next layer of the object.
Difference Between Additive and Subtractive Manufacturing technologies
Additive Manufacturing (AM)
A process of joining materials to make objects from 3D model data, usually layer upon layer, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing technologies
-The American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM)
Sutractive Manufacturing
A process of finished parts are produced by removing unnecessary material from a raw material called blocks or stock.
When compared to subtractive manufacturing technologies like milling, turning etc