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.
Sheet Lamination
Sheet lamination is an AM process where thin sheets of material (usually supplied via a system of feed rollers) are bonded together layer-by-layer to form a single piece that is then cut out into a 3D object.
3 technologies
CBAM
Composite Based Additive Manufacturing
CBAM parts are built by stacking sheets which are infiltrated and spread with material.
LOM
Laminated Object Manufacturing
Bonds sheet material layer by layer and cuts each layer to shape, keeping material cost low.
UAM
Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing
UAM parts are built within a build chamber.
Advantages
- Sheet Lamination requires little to no pre-production, offers fast print times and relatively low cost.
- Easy material handling.
- No support structures required.
- Ability to integrate into a hybrid manufacturing system.
- Some cut materials can be recycled easily
Disadvantages
- Parts with complex geometry are not possible to achieve.
- Parts with internal voids and cavities are difficult to produce.
- Some bonding methods deteriorate over time, so the process might not be suitable for parts that will be used for long periods.
- It can generate a lot of material waste if the part is significantly smaller than the sheet size or build area.
- It can require time-consuming post-processing.
- Choices are limited to materials that are available in sheet form.
- Layer height is dependent upon the sheet thickness.
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 can be used in practical environments where recognised studio or workshop protocols are observed.
Some of them require additional equipment as part of their processes which need to be understood and accommodated:
DLP
Digital Light Processing
DLP parts are built off a lifting build platform.
FFF (Large Format)
Fused Filament Fabrication
FFF (Large Format) parts are built on a build plate surface.
PolyJet
Jets ultra-thin photopolymer layers cured on contact, for colour-accurate, tactile prototypes.
PMSL
Projection Micro Stereolithography
PMSL parts are built off a lifting build platform.
SLS (Benchtop)
Selective Laser Sintering
SLS (Benchtop) parts are built within a build chamber.
SLA (Benchtop)
Stereolithography
SLA (Benchtop) parts are built off a lifting build platform.