3D printing in manufacturing is under the umbrella of additive manufacturing (AM) which is the industry term for all applications of technology that join materials together layer by layer to produce objects made from 3-D model data layer by layer.
AM delivers products of high precision, improved performance, complex geometries and lower weight in a reliable and fast way compared with subtractive removing parts of a block of material in order to create the desired shape.
There is very little if any material wasted using AM and there are savings on energy costs compared to traditional manufacturing processes. Both advantages have important implications for sustainability.
Thermoplastic polymers, metal and metal alloy powders and several ceramic materials can be used with AM technology.
Applications where AM technologies can be used range from prototyping and tooling to direct manufacturing in industrial sectors such as architecture, automotive and aerospace as well as in electronic and medical devices. The continuous development of AM processes and materials in use, is leading to innovative solutions to even the most demanding and complex applications.
View Goodfellow’s Catalogue - http://www.goodfellow.com/catalogue/GFCatalogue.ph...
About Goodfellow
For more than 50 years, Goodfellow has been a leading supplier of metals, polymers, ceramics and other materials to meet the needs of science and industry worldwide. The company specialises in supplying small quantities (a few grams to a few kilos) of metals and materials for research, prototype development and specialised manufacturing applications. Standard products can be found online at the comprehensive Goodfellow Catalogue. Custom products and materials in larger quantities are available upon request at info@goodfellow.com.
