Introducing additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing is a relatively recent manufacturing technology, dating back to the 1980s. As always, it is a bit difficult to give strict definitions, but let’s just say that most traditional production processes rely on removing unwanted material from a solid block of raw material (as a sculptor would do with a block of marble to create a statue).

Additive manufacturing is completely different; instead of removing material from a block, it focuses on creating the needed part by stacking very thin layers, one on top of the other.

Figure 14.1: An example of 3D printing

Since a 3D-printed object is created layer by layer, it is possible to create complex shapes not only on the outside of the part but also on the inside. Looking at the preceding figure, we can see an inner honeycomb pattern that reduces the overall weight of the part without compromising too much of its stiffness; such reinforcement can...