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.
Material Jetting
Material Jetting is where a printhead (similar to the printheads used in 2D inkjet printing) deposits droplets of a photosensitive material that solidifies under ultraviolet (UV) light, building a part layer-by-layer.
Most Material Jetting technologies require a separate gel-like support material for overhangs. This is either water soluble or can be dissolved in a solution of caustic soda.
6 technologies
AME
Additively Manufactured Electronics
AME parts are formed on a build plate surface.
PolyJet
Jets ultra-thin photopolymer layers cured on contact, for colour-accurate, tactile prototypes.
UV Curable Inkjet
UV Curable Inkjet parts are built on a build plate surface.
Advantages
- Material Jetting technologies offer the highest resolution and accuracy available.
- It can print compellingly detailed objects with intricate geometry and sharp edges.
- It can layer multiple materials achieving multicolour output (Polyjet and UV Curable Inkjet only).
- It produces very smooth surfaces.
Disadvantages
- The equipment is expensive, and build time is slow because it builds one droplet at a time.
- Support structures must be solid, creating significant material waste.
- Cleaning off support materials can be laborious.
- The material options are quite limited and expensive.
- Machine maintenance needs to be meticulous to prevent materials setting in print heads and delivery tubing.
- Due to their poor mechanical properties, these parts are not typically suitable for functional use since they tend to be brittle (except NPJ).
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.