What is Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)?

Once considered the domain of industrial engineers and researchers, additive manufacturing (AM) is now becoming a part of everyday life. From customized phone cases to medical implants and even 3D-printed houses, AM is revolutionizing how products are designed, made, and used by people around the world.

By building objects layer by layer, additive manufacturing technologies have revolutionized traditional manufacturing processes, offering unparalleled opportunities for optimization, customization, automation, and efficiency.

Let’s explore what additive manufacturing entails, how it fuels innovation, and why it’s at the heart of modern industrial revolutions.

What is Additive Manufacturing?

According to ASTM International, “Additive manufacturing (AM) is the revolutionary process of creating three-dimensional objects by the successive addition of material—whether plastic, metal, ceramic, composite, or something else.”

At its core, additive manufacturing refers to a suite of manufacturing methods that create parts by adding material, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing, which removes material from a larger block. Leveraging computer-aided design (CAD), AM processes turn digital models into physical objects through technologies like binder jetting, directed energy deposition (DED), and selective laser melting (SLM).

Unlike traditional methods that may require extensive tooling and generate significant waste, AM creates parts with precise control, minimal material waste, and unmatched design for additive manufacturing flexibility.

Key Additive Manufacturing Processes

The field of additive manufacturing includes a variety of AM processes, each tailored to different applications and materials:

1. Powder Bed Fusion (PBF): 3D printer-powred techniques like selective laser sintering (SLS) and electron beam melting (EBM) use lasers or electron beams to fuse fine layers of metal powder, ceramics, or polymers.
   • Ideal for aerospace applications and metal additive manufacturing.
2. Binder Jetting: Utilizes a liquid binding agent deposited via a printhead to bond layers of material together.
   • Suited for on-demand parts and metal parts requiring post-processing.
3. Directed Energy Deposition (DED): A highly precise process that uses focused thermal energy to fuse feedstock like alloys or filament.
   • Common in complex geometries and repair tasks.
4. Photopolymerization: Technologies such as SLA (stereolithography) use liquid photopolymer resins cured by light to produce highly detailed parts.
   • Popular in rapid prototyping and validation phases.

How Additive Manufacturing Fuels Innovation

Additive manufacturing doesn’t just improve efficiency; it redefines what’s possible in manufacturing. Here’s how:

• Customization and Flexibility: AM technology allows for the creation of unique parts with different materials tailored to specific functionality or environments. For example, combining composites and metal additive manufacturing to produce lightweight, strong parts for aerospace applications.
• Complex Geometries: By using material extrusions building layer by layer, AM enables designs that would be impossible with traditional manufacturing methods. Think 3D printing processes that create intricate lattice structures to optimize strength and weight.
• Reduced Lead Times: On-demand production eliminates the need for extensive supply chain logistics and reduces lead times significantly.
• Sustainability: With more repeatability of processes, reduced material waste, and energy use, AM supports environmentally friendly production methods, addressing the global push for sustainability.

Propel and Desktop Metal: A Case Study in Hypergrowth

When it comes to companies thriving in the world of additive manufacturing, few exemplify innovation like Desktop Metal. Specializing in metal additive manufacturing with technologies like binder jetting and laser sintering, Desktop Metal has redefined industrial manufacturing standards.

But with great innovation comes complexity. Managing rapid product iteration, multiple additive manufacturing technologies, and intricate manufacturing techniques requires a robust PLM system to keep pace.

That’s where Propel comes in.

Why Propel?

The Desktop Metal team chose Propel to manage their hypergrowth because:

• Seamless Integration: Propel’s PLM integrates easily with existing systems, enabling efficient data flow across departments.
• Scalability: As Desktop Metal’s operations expanded, Propel’s platform scaled effortlessly to accommodate growth.
• Agility: Propel supports innovation cycles with tools that foster collaboration and streamline manufacturing processes.

Results

By partnering with Propel, Desktop Metal transformed their operations creating innovative additive manufacturing solutions, optimizing workflows, and driving the agility necessary to lead the AM revolution. Their story illustrates how a modern PLM system can empower businesses to harness hypergrowth and achieve category leadership.

Learn more about Propel’s impact here.

Conclusion

Additive manufacturing has revolutionized industries, enabling businesses to achieve unprecedented innovation, customization, and sustainability. Companies like Desktop Metal showcase the transformative potential of AM, especially when paired with a scalable, flexible PLM solution like Propel.

Whether you’re looking to optimize manufacturing methods, reduce lead times, or unlock the full potential of 3D printing technology, Propel’s solutions are designed to keep pace with the future of innovation.

Explore how Propel supports businesses like yours.