3D Printing vs Additive Manufacturing

3D printing and additive manufacturing are often used interchangeably. While they share similarities, these terms originate from different contexts and serve different purposes in the industry.

Origins of the Terms: 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing

The term “3D printing” first appeared in the 1980s, initially used to describe early technologies that built three-dimensional objects by depositing material layer by layer. At its core, 3D printing became synonymous with producing small, low-cost prototypes and was primarily associated with consumer-friendly devices, such as desktop printers.

In its early days, 3D printing was limited to creating plastic models, used mainly for rapid prototyping in industries like product design and architecture. However, as the technology advanced, it became accessible to a broader audience, including hobbyists and small businesses. Today, 3D printing is often used to refer to less complex and smaller-scale applications, and it remains closely tied to affordable home or small-scale industrial printers.

While 3D printing may have started as a hobbyist term, “additive manufacturing” emerged from more industrial roots. The term became prominent in professional and industrial contexts to describe building objects by adding material layer by layer. The focus in additive manufacturing is more on precision, scalability, and production-grade materials.

Additive manufacturing encompasses a wider variety of technologies than most people associate with 3D printing. This includes complex processes such as Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), Electron Beam Melting (EBM), and Direct Energy Deposition (DED). Additive manufacturing embodies the high-performance, large-scale production needs of industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical devices.

Key Differences Between 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing

Though both processes involve building parts layer by layer, key distinctions set them apart in terms of scope, complexity, and application:

Scope and Perception: 3D printing is often considered a subset of additive manufacturing, primarily associated with small-scale production and prototyping. On the other hand, additive manufacturing is viewed as a more comprehensive process that includes a broader range of technologies and applications.

For example, a designer might use 3D printing to prototype a new product design or create a hobbyist model. In contrast, an aerospace engineer could rely on additive manufacturing to build critical components like turbine blades or airframe parts from high-performance metals.

Technological Depth: While 3D printing tends to focus on accessible technologies like Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) or Stereolithography (SLA), additive manufacturing includes more advanced methods such as LPBF and SLS (Selective Laser Sintering). These technologies enable higher precision, larger builds, and the use of industrial-grade materials like metals, ceramics, and composites.

For example, LPBF, commonly used in additive manufacturing, can create complex parts from aluminum or steel powders with incredible precision, making it suitable for aerospace industries where safety and precision are paramount.

The Future of 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing

As both technologies evolve, the line between 3D printing and additive manufacturing will likely blur further. However, understanding their origins and differences is crucial for engineers and designers to decide which process to use for their needs.

MakerVerse, an on-demand manufacturing platform, offers various materials and cutting-edge technologies. We ensure your projects are produced to the highest industry standards, whether you need a quick prototype or a large-scale production run.