Layer-Based Production

Build geometry instead of cutting it away.

Additive manufacturing creates physical components directly from digital geometry by building material in successive layers rather than removing material from a larger workpiece.

Additive Principle

Each layer contributes a small portion of the final three-dimensional geometry.

Additive Processes

“3D printing” describes several very different manufacturing systems.

01 / FILAMENT

Material Extrusion

Heated material is deposited through a nozzle to build geometry along programmed paths layer by layer.

02 / RESIN

Vat Photopolymerization

Light selectively cures liquid photopolymer to create detailed polymer parts with relatively smooth surfaces.

03 / POWDER

Powder Bed Fusion

Thermal energy selectively fuses regions of a powder bed to produce polymer or metal components.

04 / BINDER

Binder Jetting

A liquid binder joins powder selectively, followed by downstream curing, infiltration, sintering, or other finishing steps.

05 / METAL

Metal Additive Manufacturing

Metal powder or wire can be processed into complex parts for aerospace, medical, tooling, industrial, and specialized applications.

06 / HYBRID

Additive + Machining

Printed near-net-shape components can be machined afterward to control interfaces, sealing surfaces, bores, threads, and tight tolerances.

Additive DFM

The design is digital, but the build still has physical constraints.

Build orientation

Orientation can influence support requirements, surface condition, dimensional behavior, build time, and mechanical properties.

Support structures

Some processes need temporary supports under overhangs or thermally sensitive geometry.

Wall thickness

Very thin walls or small isolated features may be difficult to reproduce consistently.

Internal channels

Complex passages can be a major additive advantage, but powder or support removal still needs a practical path.

Tolerances

Critical dimensions may require machining or other finishing after the build is complete.

Post-Processing

The printer may finish the build before the manufacturing process is finished.

Printed parts can require removal, cleaning, curing, heat treatment, support removal, surface finishing, machining, inspection, or other steps before they are ready for use.

Remove supports or surrounding powder

Clean and cure polymer parts where required

Stress relieve or heat treat metal components

Machine critical interfaces and dimensions

Improve surfaces through blasting, polishing, or coating

Inspect final geometry and internal features

Where Additive Fits

The strongest use case depends on geometry, quantity, speed, material, and production economics.

Prototyping

Produce physical designs quickly without waiting for conventional dedicated tooling.

Low-Volume Production

Avoid significant tooling investment when production quantity is limited or designs change frequently.

Complex Geometry

Create internal passages, lattice structures, consolidated assemblies, or shapes difficult to make conventionally.

Tooling & Fixtures

Produce jigs, fixtures, gauges, patterns, manufacturing aids, and specialized production tools.

Replacement Parts

Digital inventories can support selected low-demand or difficult-to-source components where the process is suitable.

Design Iteration

Modify geometry digitally and build revised versions without rebuilding conventional tooling for each change.

Choosing between additive and machining?

Compare geometry, material, tolerance, quantity, surface requirements, tooling, lead time, and production economics before selecting the process.

Compare with CNC Machining →