3D-printing processes
It’s important to note that 3D printing (additive manufacturing) does not refer to a single manufacturing process, but rather to a group of different techniques in which a part is produced by growing, adding, or selectively combining material.
The additive manufacturing standard SFS-EN ISO/ASTM 52900:2021 “Additive manufacturing. General principles: Fundamentals and vocabulary” classifies additive manufacturing processes into seven categories*:
- Material Extrusion
- Material Jetting
- Binder Jetting
- Sheet Lamination
- VAT Photopolymerization
- Powder Bed Fusion
- Directed Energy Deposition
Not all additive manufacturing processes fit neatly into these standard-defined categories, and some could potentially belong to multiple categories. This is due to the rapid development of additive manufacturing technologies. One reason for this fast evolution is that many traditional manufacturing methods are suitable for additive manufacturing either directly or with slight modifications. However, only after awareness increased were these processes developed and applied as additive techniques.
Additionally, by combining additive manufacturing processes into so-called hybrid processes—either with each other or with traditional subtractive manufacturing techniques—many benefits can be achieved that are not possible with any single process alone. These hybrid processes do not fit directly under any single category defined by ISO/ASTM standards.