What is additive technologies?

Additive Manufacturing is a method of creating three-dimensional objects, parts or things by adding material layer by layer: plastic, metal, concrete and, possibly, human tissue in the future. Such three-dimensional or 3D objects are created using 3D printers. The name of the technologies comes from the English word “add”. 

Depending on the final result, there are several areas of application of additive technologies: 

- Producing parts (Rapid Patterns) that will be used as templates for the final product. Often used in jewelry. 

- Making molds (Rapid Tooling) using additive methods. Then they can be used for molding and casting products. 

- Direct digital manufacturing (Direct Digital Manufacturing, DDM) is the production of the final product by additive methods. 

The terms additive manufacturing and 3D printing are often used interchangeably. The term "3D printing" has been around for a long time and is more commonly used when talking about low-cost home printers. On the scale of industrial production, one usually speaks of additive technologies. 

The history of additive manufacturing began with the invention of the first 3D printer. It was designed by Charles Hull in 1983. He came up with a device that could print a small plastic cup in a new way - layering with ultraviolet radiation. Hull called this technology stereolithography. Today, many 3D printers are based on this technology. 

3D printing opens up endless possibilities for the economy.

Stages of creating a product using additive technologies 

In industry, the production of 3D products goes through several general stages (they may vary depending on methods and materials): 

- 3D modeling or product sketching (Computer Aided Design or CAD). 

- Creating a reduced copy of a product from a cheaper material, such as inexpensive plastic instead of metal. 

- Printing the product itself after the copy has passed inspection. The printer follows the sketch and adds layers of liquid, powder, or sheet material and produces the part, sometimes in just a few hours. 

 Advantages of additive technologies and their difference from traditional production

- Manufacturing speed. With traditional methods, a complex part can be produced within months, but with 3D printing, it can be done in a few hours. After manufacturing, additional machining is often not needed. 

- Wasteless production. In traditional manufacturing, there is a high risk of sending an incorrectly manufactured part to waste. When using additive methods, if the metal part does not work out, it can be turned into powder again and the same product is printed from it again. 

- No seams or welds. Unlike traditional production, with the help of additive technologies it is possible to obtain products with unique properties, without seams and joints. Such objects cannot be made by welding and stamping. 

Where are additive technologies used? 

In mechanical engineering 

Additive technologies are actively used in industry. In 1989, BMW was one of the first to use them. At that time, the term "3D printing" was not yet in use. In 2018, the company opened a dedicated Additive Manufacturing Center in Munich, where it manufactures prototypes, highly complex chassis elements and off-the-shelf parts for classic cars. 

Quality parts, the certification requirements for which are very high, are also in demand in the aviation and space industry. Boeing has already made more than 20,000 parts for its aircraft using additive technologies. 

Siemens Power claims that it is 3D printing that has allowed them to achieve a significant breakthrough in the production of electrical equipment. Using additive technology, they produce product prototypes 90% faster than before, with a high degree of efficiency, high efficiency and low cost. 

 In healthcare 

In 2008, the first 3D limb prosthesis was printed: it was made in one piece, without assembly. Stereolithography is now being used to fabricate customized heart valves, artificial jaws, joint parts, and hearing aid parts. The first and only printed organ so far remains the bladder. It was made from tissues from the host's old bladder and successfully transplanted. In the future, it is planned to print 3D organs from human tissue and artificial materials. 

In construction 

In recent years, in the United States, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, France, and the UAE have built using the construction 3D printing method. Special building printers create either small cottages or building elements, which are then assembled on site into a whole building. Technology makes it possible to build houses very quickly and cheaply. Building areas are still small, but this is temporary. Dubai already has a 641 sq. m

Summary