SME Fact Sheet Additive Manufacturing

Making the quantum leap to mainstream.With all the buzz surrounding 3D, or additive manufacturing, youd think it was created yesterday. The truth is, 3D printing has been around for quite a whilesince the early 80s.1 What makes this technology so exciting right now is its aff ordability. With prices as low as $500, just about anyone can buy a 3D printer todaybringing this futuristic technology to mainstream manufacturing.

3D printing is changing the way we manufacture.Additive manufacturing can trim weeks, if not months off design, prototyping and manufacturing time. It can also help companies avoid costly errors and enhance product quality.

1 The fi rst working 3D printer was created in 1984 by Chuck Hull of 3D Systems Corp., 3D Printing: What You Need to Know, PCMag.com.

2 Global Additive Manufacturing Market worth $3.5 Billion in 2017, Markets and Markets, 2013.

Companies are using additive processes for: Shorter lead times Mass customization Reduced parts count More complex shapes

On-demand production Reduced material waste Lower lifecycle energy use

?Whats next for additive manufacturing?Additive technology is a game-changer for many manufacturers. Its giving them new ways to become more competitive on a global scale. In fact, additive manufacturing sales are expected to more than quadruple in the next 10 years, as the associated costs continue to fall. By 2017, the global market for additive manufacturing is predicted to be worth $3.5 billion.2 One thing is for sure: there is a lot to be excited about.

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

Additive vs. Subtractive manufacturing.The term additive manufacturing comes from its process: building an object by adding successive layers of material. Its also referred to as 3D printing, direct digital manufacturing, rapid prototyping or on-demand, personalized and customized manufacturing. Traditional manufacturing has since become defi ned as subtractive, referring to processes such as cu ing, grinding and drilling in which objects are shaped by subtracting material. While these processes appear to directly oppose each other, they are actually complementary, allowing manufacturers to use both to their greatest advantage.

The 1-2-3 of 3D printing:1. Designs are created in CAD (Computer-

Aided Design) 3D modeling so ware

2. The additive equipment (i.e., 3D printer) reads the data from the resulting CAD fi le

3. It lays down successive layers of liquid, powder, sheet metal or other material to fabricate the item

Di erent additive processes fulfi ll di erent needs.There are many kinds of additive processes for various applications. Here are a few:

Plastics: Fused deposition modeling

(FDM)Thermoplastic materials are injected through nozzles onto a platform, to build layers

StereolithographyAn ultraviolet laser builds layers with an ultraviolet-curable polymer resin

3D printingA powder is mixed with a binder to build the layers

Metals: Laser-engineered net

shapingMetal powder is injected into a molten pool

Laser sinteringFuses powder-based materials into layers with a laser beam

Electron beam meltingCreates layers using an electron beam

Organics: Chocolate, sugar, meat Human tissue and body parts

Industries using additive manufacturing:

The additive process can be used anywhere in the manufacturing cycle: Pre-production (rapid prototyping)

Full-scale production (rapid manufacturing)

Tooling applications

Post-production customization

Additive manufacturing in action: Rocket engine parts

Fuel injector assemblies

Soles for football shoes and track spikes

Nylon frames for eyeglasses

Dental copings (metal structure for dental crowns and bridges

Acetabular (hip) cups

Prosthetics

Surgical instruments

Contemporary art

On-site house component construction

Functional human tissues

Online portal designs, from bracelets to chairs

Defense Aerospace Automotive Medical Architecture Fashion

Jewelry Home

furnishings Metals

manufacturing Art

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING 101:What is it and how does it work?

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