What is additive manufacturing

The term "additive manufacturing" (AM) is apt for the technologies that construct three-dimensional objects by layering on materials. These materials can be concrete, metal, plastic, or, eventually, human flesh.

Are you trying to figure out how to turn your brilliant product concept into a prototype? Does a metal part need to be repaired? or restore an antiquated artifact? Perhaps you require something that is specifically sized or shaped for you, like a biocompatible implant or perhaps an organ replacement? Are you trying to create tougher and lighter-than-before automotive or aeronautical parts?

You've come to the perfect spot if any of these subjects fascinate you or if you're just interested in learning more about how things are manufactured. 

Mass customisation and quick production

Additive manufacturing's amazing form freedom enables you to create highly optimized parts that would be prohibitively expensive, if not impossible, to create using conventional methods. In these situations, the term "rapid manufacturing" is used, however this is a bit misleading because the process is anything from quick. However, considering the main advantages—the lack of capital inputs, the quick time to market, the design freedom and its potential for shape optimization, and the ease of making improvements—it need not be. Helicopter plastic air ducts are a nice example. These components have to be extremely light, have complex shapes, and be produced in small quantities (10–50 units annually, for example). Or consider uses in medicine.

3d printing or additive manufacturing has  gained importance in the field of engineering due to its many benefits. Some of these benefits include enabling faster prototyping, reducing manufacturing costs, increasing product customization, and improving product quality.

There are seven categories of additive manufacturing they are 

1) Material jetting 

2) Binder jetting 

3) Powder bed fusion

4) Vat photopolymerization 

5) Directed energy deposition

6) Material extrusion

7) sheet lamination .