Technologies
Understand additive manufacturing's categories, technologies, materials, post-processes and terminology.
Printer Categories
AM's 7 printer category types.
The American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTM) have defined the seven categories of Additive Manufacturing into which all of the different types fit. These are the recognised industry standard printer category classifications.
Binder Jetting
Binder Jetting is the principle where a liquid binder is deposited on a bed of powder material. This then bonds the powder in each successive cross sectional layer to form the final object.
The powder material is consolidated by the liquid binder in a number of different ways, depending upon the AM type.
Parts printed with binder jetting technologies are always done so support-free.
6 technologies
SAF
Selective Absorption Fusion
SAF parts are built within a build chamber.
Advantages
- Binder Jetting can produce complex, high-precision parts at a high resolution that nearly matches Powder Bed Fusion parts.
- It is relatively fast and affordable.
- It can achieve different mechanical properties.
- It can produce multi-colour parts (This only applies to CJP).
- It offers a wide range of powdered materials is available.
- It produces minimal material waste.
- It can be integrated with most traditional foundry processes.
- There are few issues related to residual stress when Binder Jetting is applied to metal powders in MBJ.
- Multiple parts can be produced within the same build.
Disadvantages
- Fine sections of parts can be extremely fragile when being excavated in their green form. This fragility needs to be considered during the design process and this imposes design limitations. (This only applies to CJP, MBJ and UBJ).
- Parts need to be compressed, infiltrated or sintered, which causes shrinkage and needs to be compensated for in the build software.
- Even after post-processing CJP and UBJ are brittle and fragile.
- Powder materials mean that these technologies are only suited to workshop (only CJP) and industrial environments.
AM Environments
Like any machinery, it is important that it and any ancillary equipment are installed, operated and maintained in the appropriate environment.
These printer technologies are generally intended for the production of high quality, repeatable objects that require a controlled environment. They commonly include additional processing hardware.
They may also need a clean environment, climate control, industrial infrastructure, logistics and strict health and safety protocols:
DLS (Clip)
Digital Light Synthesis
DLS (Clip) parts are built off a lifting build platform.
FFF (High Grade)
Fused Filament Fabrication
FFF (High Grade) parts are built on a build plate surface.
LMD
Laser Metal Deposition
LMD parts are built on a build plate surface.
Paste Deposition
Paste Deposition parts are built on a build plate (or the ground slab) surface.
SLM
Selective Laser Melting
SLM parts are built within a build chamber.
SLS (Fine Detail Resolution)
Selective Laser Sintering
SLS (Fine Detail Resolution) parts are built within a build chamber.
SLS (Industrial)
Selective Laser Sintering
Uses a CO2 laser to sinter polymer powder into solid 3D structures. No support structures required.
SLA (High Grade)
Stereolithography
Cures liquid photopolymer with a UV laser, one layer at a time, for fine detail and smooth surfaces.
WAAM
Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing
WAAM parts are built on a build plate surface.