{"id":10299,"date":"2021-11-10T17:34:59","date_gmt":"2021-11-10T15:34:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mizaradditive.com\/differences-between-additive-manufacturing-and-3d-printing\/"},"modified":"2021-11-10T17:42:48","modified_gmt":"2021-11-10T15:42:48","slug":"differences-between-additive-manufacturing-and-3d-printing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mizaradditive.com\/en\/differences-between-additive-manufacturing-and-3d-printing\/","title":{"rendered":"DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING AND 3D PRINTING"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]While additive manufacturing<\/strong><\/a><\/span> and 3D printing<\/strong> are concepts that are close to each other, they differ<\/strong> in several respects. It is worth exploring this issue in more detail, as potential confusion<\/strong> may arise from the similarity of the processes involved.<\/p>\n

Both additive manufacturing and 3D printing involve the creation and printing<\/strong> of three-dimensional<\/strong>prototypes or final parts. The objective is the same, although the processes may be different.<\/p>\n

We will explain the differences in this article:<\/p>\n

Table of Contents<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. What is 3D printing?<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Additive manufacturing<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. The real difference<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Optimize your manufacturing costs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What is 3D printing?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    In contrast to subtractive manufacturing, with 3D printing<\/strong> objects are created by depositing layers of material<\/strong>. The CAD software<\/strong> tells the 3D printerhow much material<\/strong> to deposit and where<\/strong>to deposit it.<\/p>\n

    In addition, most 3D printers use polymer<\/strong>as aprinting material<\/strong>(although some 3D printers support metals, alloys and even ceramics) and almost always use a single technology<\/strong>, Fused Deposition Modeling<\/em><\/a><\/span> (FDM); through this technology, components with limited size and resolution are achieved.<\/p>\n

    3D printing is cheaper<\/strong>than other additive manufacturing techniques, hence its penetration among individuals<\/strong>, small designers<\/strong> and developers<\/strong>or start-ups<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Additive manufacturing<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The term “additive manufacturing” refers to the creation of objects by adding<\/strong>material<\/strong>. Thus, when an object is created by adding material<\/strong> rather than removing it (subtractive manufacturing) it is considered additive manufacturing<\/strong>. This type of manufacturing also requires a machine<\/strong>and a CAD software<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    This technology also allows the evaluation of ergonomics<\/strong>, dimensions<\/strong>and precision<\/strong>of parts and prototypes. This makes it suitable<\/strong>for sectors which place a high value on the relationship between quality and timing in production processes such as the industrial and professional sectors (as well as more specialised sectors). Additive manufacturing allows for very high levels of precision<\/strong>and reliability<\/strong>while allowing for modifications<\/strong>during the design<\/strong>and prototype verification<\/strong>phases.<\/p>\n

    Unlike 3D printing, with AM we can manufacture in metals<\/strong>; this allows us to tackle more complex projects<\/strong> using different technologies, such as Powder Bed Fusion<\/em><\/a><\/span> (PBF), Fused Deposition Modeling<\/em><\/a><\/span>(FDM) and Material Jetting<\/em><\/a><\/span> (MJ).<\/p>\n

    At the same time, additive manufacturing offers endless possibilities from a creative point of view. The versatility<\/strong>of the machinery<\/strong>(which facilitates the realization of customized parts and various materials, even if they are complex geometric structures), is another of its strengths<\/strong>.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mizaradditive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/fabricacion-aditiva-e-impresion-3d-img-1.webp” alt=”fabricacion aditiva e impresion 3d img 1″ title_text=”fabricacion aditiva e impresion 3d img 1″ _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/a>The real difference<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The actual difference between these two technologies is that 3D printing is a<\/strong>form<\/strong> of additive manufacturing<\/strong>; the latter is a broader concept that encompasses a wider range of processes.<\/p>\n

    It is also worth mentioning that the term “additive manufacturing<\/strong>” is more commonly associated with industrial<\/strong>and commercial<\/strong>applications, while the term “3D printing<\/strong>” is associated with consumer<\/strong>and recreational<\/strong>applications.<\/p>\n

    In summary, the main difference between 3D printing and additive manufacturing is that 3D printing specifically involves<\/strong>the creation of objects by adding<\/strong> layers<\/strong>of material. Yet additive manufacturing<\/strong>involves the creation of objects by adding material<\/strong>, which may or may not come in layers.<\/p>\n

    Selective Laser Melting<\/em>, for example, is an additive manufacturing process and does not build up layers of material, although it still involves the creation of objects by adding material.<\/p>\n

    <\/a>Optimize your manufacturing costs<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Improving process efficiency<\/strong> is a constant goal in industrial companies. In this sense, the number of companies that see in additive manufacturing<\/strong> a perfect formula<\/strong> for the optimization of production costs is increasing.<\/p>\n

    Advantages of additive manufacturing:<\/p>\n