What Is Additive Manufacturing?

Far from being a gadget or simply a trend, additive manufacturing is a technological revolution hailed as part of the fourth industrial revolution. As its name suggests, this process works by adding materials. Layers of materials are successively deposited on top of each other until the desired object is created. This so-called additive process makes it possible to obtain parts on demand according to a precise 3D model. Logically, this technology is opposed to subtractive manufacturing processes (milling, machining, injection molding…), where the material is removed to obtain a part.

Invented in 1986 by Charles Hull with the stereolithography (SLA) process, additive manufacturing is now used in many sectors. Whether in the automotive, aerospace, medical, or consumer goods industries, 3D printing has become a must; the many patents filed since its invention have allowed the technology to evolve and become applicable to various markets. Additive manufacturing offers its users several advantages compared to traditional manufacturing methods, notably flexibility, cost reduction, and time-saving, and has seduced many professionals since 1986. Thanks to the multiple processes and materials available on the market, there are numerous applications.

Models created using FDM technology (photo credits: OneMaker Group)

The Beginnings of the Technology

One thing is for sure, the additive manufacturing market has evolved a lot since its humble beginnings, with key milestones and innovations that have marked its history. One of the main ones is obviously the commercialization of the first 3D printer at the end of 1988 by the leading 3D printing manufacturer, 3D Systems, which was co-founded by Charles Hull. This was followed by numerous discoveries, such as the first successful bioprinting project in 2011 with the printing of a kidney, the first 3D printer sent into space, and the first inhabited 3D printed house.