Why is Additive Manufacturing Called Additive Manufacturing?

Understanding the Basics of Additive Manufacturing

The Concept of 3D Printing

Additive manufacturing, often referred to as 3D printing, is a manufacturing process that creates objects by layering materials, such as resin, plastic, metal, concrete, or even human tissue. This technique involves adding material to the object, rather than subtracting it as in traditional manufacturing methods. Imagine building a tower with LEGO blocks, where you start with a blank space and gradually build upward by placing each block one at a time. This process contrasts with traditional subtractive manufacturing, where material is removed to achieve the desired shape, akin to carving a tower out of a big block of material. Therefore, the term "additive" accurately reflects the nature of this manufacturing process, which involves the incremental buildup of material to form a three-dimensional object.

The Evolution of Additive Manufacturing

Even though the concept of additive manufacturing has roots in the 1980s, the term's adoption and rebranding are crucial to understand. Researchers like Chuck Hull and Scott Crump played pivotal roles in developing and demonstrating this technology. Hull is credited with introducing stereolithography (SLA), a method of creating solid objects by successively layering photopolymer materials. Meanwhile, Scott Crump developed Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), which uses extrusion of thermoplastic material to create layers. Initially, many of these innovations were aimed at rapid prototyping for developmental purposes, and terms like "rapid prototyping" and "3D printing" were commonly used.

The Shift to Additive Manufacturing

In the late 2000s, significant changes occurred in the additive manufacturing (AM) landscape. The introduction of metal powder bed systems using lasers, electron beams, and binder jet techniques marked a turning point, as these machines began to produce parts suitable for end-use applications, not just for prototyping. The U.S. started initiatives to promote these technologies, including the creation of the first Manufacturing Institute focused on 3D printing. This evolution led to the need for a term that better reflected the manufacturing capabilities of these processes. Enter "additive manufacturing," which more accurately describes a process that builds objects layer by layer, providing materials and properties suitable for production.

Term Evolution and Industry Shifts

Historical Context and Debates

The term "additive manufacturing" was chosen to highlight the positive attributes and broadening applications of these technologies. It’s important to note that while "additive manufacturing" is gaining popularity, other terms such as "3D printing" and "rapid prototyping" still accurately describe the same processes. The shift in terminology was partly driven by the desire to rebrand the technology to suggest its growing maturity and suitability for manufacturing, rather than just prototyping.

Industry Impact and Personal Insights

One of the defining moments that significantly changed the industry was the expiration of Scott Crump's FDM patent in the early 2010s. This event led to the proliferation of low-cost, desktop 3D printers, making the technology accessible to a wider audience, including hobbyists and students. It sparked a wave of enthusiasm and innovation, with many people, including Scott Crump himself, seeing the potential for this technology to revolutionize manufacturing. His optimism and excitement about the advancements in the field are contagious, and many recognize him as one of the pioneers in the additive manufacturing (AM) community.

In conclusion, additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is a transformative technology that has evolved significantly over the years. While terms like "rapid prototyping" still hold their relevance, the term "additive manufacturing" highlights the manufacturing capabilities and the potential of these technologies to revolutionize various industries.