3D Printing and the Metal Finishing Industry

Author:  Kathy Levy, InfoProse
Source:  The Shot Peener magazine, Vol 28, Issue 2, Spring 2014
Doc ID:  2014041
Year of Publication:  2014
Abstract:  
3D printing creates a three-dimensional solid object of virtually any shape, using a laser beam to melt the raw material and laying horizontal cross sections to build the part based on information supplied by a digital model. 3D printing for industrial applications is commonly called additive manufacturing because of its additive process. Traditional machining techniques mostly rely on the removal of materials by methods such as cutting and drilling (subtractive manufacturing). 3D-printed parts tend to be lighter than traditionally forged parts because they don’t require welding, and the process generates less scrap material. A 3D printer is a limited type of industrial robot that is capable of carrying out an additive process under computer control.