The difference between 3D printing and additive manufacturing lies in their scope: additive manufacturing is a comprehensive industrial production process, while 3D printing refers specifically to the core technology of building objects layer by layer.
What is the Difference Between 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing?
While often used interchangeably, understanding the precise distinction between 3D printing and additive manufacturing is crucial, especially in industrial contexts. Additive manufacturing encompasses a much more complex and in-depth industrial process, including the entire print workflow, whereas 3D printing refers to only a small, albeit critical, part of that process.
Additive Manufacturing: The Broader Industrial Process
Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a sophisticated, end-to-end industrial production methodology that builds three-dimensional objects by adding material layer by layer from a 3D model. It's a comprehensive approach that covers every stage, from initial design to final post-processing, making it suitable for high-value, complex, or low-volume production.
Key aspects of additive manufacturing include:
- Entire Workflow: AM integrates the complete manufacturing workflow, which begins long before the printing itself.
- Multiple Processes: It encompasses a variety of operations beyond just creating 3D models. These include:
- Modeling (CAD drawings): Designing the digital 3D model using computer-aided design software. This is a crucial pre-processing step.
- Design Optimization: Preparing the model for printing, including support structure generation and orientation.
- Material Selection: Choosing the appropriate materials (polymers, metals, ceramics) for the specific application.
- Printing: The actual layer-by-layer fabrication (what is commonly called 3D printing).
- Post-processing: A wide array of steps after printing, such as curing, cleaning, support removal, surface finishing, heat treatment, and quality control.
- Industrial Application: AM is geared towards industrial applications, adhering to strict standards for materials, processes, and part performance, often guided by standards like those from ASTM International.
- Economic and Supply Chain Considerations: It involves strategic decisions about production volumes, cost-effectiveness, and integration into existing supply chains.
3D Printing: The Core Fabrication Technology
3D Printing is a specific technology within the additive manufacturing umbrella. It refers to the physical act of fabricating a three-dimensional object by successively depositing or solidifying material in layers, based on a digital design. It is the literal "printing" part of the process.
Think of it this way:
- If additive manufacturing is a cookbook for creating a gourmet meal, 3D printing is the oven where the food is cooked. The cookbook includes recipes, preparation steps, ingredients, and presentation, while the oven is just one essential tool.
- It's the mechanism that takes a digital file and brings it into physical existence layer by layer.
Key Distinctions at a Glance
| Feature | 3D Printing | Additive Manufacturing |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Specific technology / Core fabrication step | Broad, industrial end-to-end process |
| Processes Involved | The actual layer-by-layer material deposition | Entire workflow: CAD modeling, design optimization, material selection, printing, post-processing, quality assurance |
| Focus | Creating the physical object | Entire production lifecycle, from concept to finished part |
| Complexity | Relatively focused on the build process | Much more complex and in-depth, involving engineering and industrial protocols |
| Application Context | Hobbyist, prototyping, educational, specific fabrication | Industrial production, highly engineered components, medical devices, aerospace parts |
| Goal | Produce a physical part from a digital design | Produce a functional, qualified part efficiently and consistently for specific applications |
The Workflow Perspective
To further illustrate, consider the typical workflow for an industrially produced part using additive manufacturing:
- Design & Modeling (CAD): Engineers create a detailed 3D model using CAD software. This often involves optimizing the design for additive manufacturing, taking into account material properties and printing constraints.
- Pre-processing: The CAD model is then prepared for printing. This involves slicing the model into thin layers, defining print parameters (e.g., layer height, infill density), and generating support structures.
- 3D Printing: The prepared digital file is sent to the 3D printer, which builds the object layer by layer, according to the chosen technology (e.g., FDM, SLA, SLS, DMLS).
- Post-processing: Once printing is complete, the part undergoes a series of crucial steps:
- Removing unused material or support structures.
- Cleaning and curing (for certain materials).
- Surface finishing (sanding, polishing, coating).
- Heat treatment to enhance mechanical properties.
- Machining for high-precision features.
- Quality Assurance: The final part is inspected for dimensional accuracy, material integrity, and performance, often using advanced metrology techniques.
3D printing is simply step 3 in this comprehensive industrial process.
Why the Distinction Matters
For industries moving towards advanced manufacturing, understanding this distinction is vital for:
- Standardization: Adhering to ISO/ASTM standards for additive manufacturing processes ensures quality and repeatability.
- Investment Decisions: Investing in additive manufacturing means considering the entire ecosystem, not just the printer.
- Workforce Development: Training programs for additive manufacturing require knowledge across design, materials science, process engineering, and quality control, not just printer operation.
- Research & Development: Advancements in AM involve optimizing every stage of the workflow, from new design algorithms to novel post-processing techniques.
In essence, while all additive manufacturing involves 3D printing, not all 3D printing constitutes full-scale additive manufacturing. The latter represents a more mature, comprehensive, and industrially integrated approach to production.
