What is Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)?
Additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, is a cutting-edge manufacturing process where objects are created by depositing material layer by layer, directly from a digital model. Unlike traditional subtractive methods that involve cutting or milling away from a solid block, additive manufacturing builds up a product precisely and efficiently—reducing waste and allowing for intricate designs. The concept emerged in the 1980s, with the first 3D printer developed by Charles Hull in 1983 using a technology called stereolithography (SLA). Since then, the field has rapidly evolved, giving rise to a range of printing methods capable of producing parts in plastics, metals, ceramics, and even biological materials. Today, additive manufacturing is reshaping industries across aerospace, healthcare, education, architecture, and consumer products, offering a flexible, localised, and sustainable approach to design and production.
It empowers individuals, startups, and industries to innovate faster and manufacture smarter. The future of making is no longer limited by complexity, but only by imagination.
How Does 3D Printing Work?
At its core, 3D printing is a digital-to-physical process that begins with a virtual design. This design is created using specialised software known as CAD (Computer-Aided Design), or it can be captured using a 3D scanner. Once the design is ready, it is converted into a printable file format—most commonly STL or OBJ—and processed through a slicing program. The slicer divides the model into hundreds or even thousands of ultra-thin horizontal layers and generates the machine instructions that tell the printer exactly how to build each layer.
Depending on the type of 3D printing technology, the printer then begins building the object layer by layer. In FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling), for example, melted thermoplastic filament is extruded through a heated nozzle. In SLA (Stereolithography), a laser selectively cures a liquid resin. Other technologies use powdered materials, binding agents, or even metal melting techniques like laser sintering.
This additive approach allows for an extraordinary level of freedom in design. Complex internal structures, lightweight lattices, and intricate geometries that are impossible with traditional manufacturing can be printed with ease. It also results in minimal material waste since only the required amount of material is deposited. Whether it's a simple prototype or a fully functional end-use product, 3D printing delivers precision, efficiency, and adaptability unmatched by conventional production methods.
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