Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing in Metalworking
Additive manufacturing (AM) refers to the application of 3D printing to create functional, industrial components including prototypes, tooling and end-use production parts. AM’s advantages include the freedom to produce small batches of intricate parts cost-effectively, as well as the freedom to realize part designs that would not be manufacturable in any other way, and in some cases to use materials that otherwise would be impractical to apply. The range of processes finding industrial applications includes direct metal deposition, electron beam melting, polymer processes such as fused filament fabritcation (FFF), and select laser sintering (SLS) or melting (SLM), among others. Some hybrid machine tools combine additive manufacturing with subtractive CNC machining. Modern Machine Shop has a sister magazine, Additive Manufacturing, that focuses on AM.
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Plotting a Pathway to Profitable Additive Manufacturing
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The hybrid machine tool is an idea that continues to advance. Two important developments of recent years expand the possibilities for this platform.
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FAQ: Additive Manufacturing
What is additive manufacturing?
“Additive manufacturing” (AM) describes the use of 3D printing to make functional components, including tools and end-use production parts. Unlike “subtractive manufacturing” processes such as machining, where parts are created by removing material, additive manufacturing builds geometries by “adding” feedstock such as filament, wire or powder.
Depending on the 3D printing process and application, additive manufacturing can utilize a growing catalog of materials including metal alloys, thermoplastics, thermoset polymers and composites.
Source: What is Additive Manufacturing?
Is additive manufacturing the same as 3D printing?
Some say yes and we say no! AM and 3D printing are overlapping terms but not synonyms. 3D printing is the operation at the heart of additive manufacturing, just as “turning” or “molding” might be the operation at the heart of a conventional manufacturing process.
In a nutshell, 3D printing is one step in an overall additive manufacturing workflow that also includes design, build preparation, postprocessing, business considerations and more.
Importantly, “3D printing” does not describe just one type of technology. Per ISO/ASTM, there are seven different “families” of 3D printing processes and a growing number of material and machine options.
Source: What is Additive Manufacturing?
Why use additive manufacturing?
Some associate AM with prototyping, but this is outdated. 3D printing has become well-established as a means of creating tooling for a range of conventional processes. And, manufacturers are increasingly adopting AM for production, including full-scale production.
Source: What is Additive Manufacturing?
What are some trends in additive manufacturing?
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning.
- Decentralized or distributed manufacturing.
- Robots and automation.
- Simulation.
- Sustainability.
Source: What is Additive Manufacturing?
What is Formnext Chicago?
Formnext Chicago is an industrial additive manufacturing expo taking place April 8-10, 2025 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.
Formnext Chicago is part of a series of Formnext events in the U.S. being produced by Mesago Messe Frankfurt, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, and Gardner Business Media (our publisher).
Here is the full lineup of Formnext events in North America:
- Formnext Forum Austin took place in August 2023 and will return to Texas in 2026.
- Additive Manufacturing Sector Powered by Formnext at IMTS in 2024
- Formnext Chicago in 2025
Additive Manufacturing Supplier Categories
- for Ceramic Parts
- Material Extrusion
- Ceramics
- Training & Consultancy for Additive Manufacturing
- Job & File Management Software
- Vat Polymerization
- for Metal Parts
- Part Design Software
- Directed Energy Deposition
- Safety Equipment for Additive Manufacturing
- Sheet Lamination
- Material Handling Equipment
- for Polymer Parts
- Part & Tooling Production Services
- Composites
- Powder Bed Fusion
- Postprocessing Equipment
- for Composite Parts
- Polymer
- Binder Jetting
- Hybrid AM Machines
- Material Jetting
- Metal
