One of the challenges with 3D printing / additive manufacturing is that the developers use different marketing words to describe common processes. Thus, the ASTM International Committee F42 took on the task of developing common terminology. At both the 2012 AMUG conference and RAPID show, members of the F42 Committee announced new names and definitions for current 3d printing / additive manufacturing process categories. The committee recently approved these definitions in a work titled “Standard Terminology for Additive Manufacturing Technologies,” available for $35 from ASTM. As new processes arise that do not fit nicely into these categories, the standard will be revised.

Here are the short versions of the definitions mentioned in the standard.

Material extrusion—an additive manufacturing process in which material is selectively dispensed through a nozzle or orifice.

Material jetting—an additive manufacturing process in which droplets of build mterial are selectively deposited.

Binder jetting—an additive manufacturing process in which a liquid bonding agent is selectively deposited to join powder materials.

Sheet lamination—an additive manufacturing process in which sheets of material are bonded to form an object.

Vat photopolymerization—an additive manufacturing process in which liquid photopolymer in a vat is selectively cured by light-activated polymerization.

Powder bed fusion—an additive manufacturing process in which thermal energy selectively fuses regions of a powder bed.

Directed energy deposition—an additive manufacturing process in which focused thermal energy is used to fuse materials by melting as the material is being deposited.

Do these definitions better define  3D printer / additive manufacturing systems for you?

Let me know.

Leslie Langnau
llangnau@wtwhmedia.com