top of page

Additive Manufacturing

Conventional manufacturing like lathe turning, milling, drilling, etc. are considered "subtractive" process since you are starting with a block and removing material causing waste.  Additive Manufacturing, more commonly known as "3D Printing", is an "additive" process since you are adding material where it is needed per the geometry, layer by layer, to achieve a final result.  This process is efficient with material use and only sacrificial support material (when necessary) is wasted.  Additive manufacturing equipment and materials have exploded in recent years with both polymers and powdered metals.  New, innovative solutions for designs and parts are possible with additive manufacturing methods.  In many cases, additive manufacturing methods are more advantageous than conventional machining or injection molding in terms of speed, cost, and quality.  In many cases, additive techniques can supplement conventional methods by producing support tooling or protoytyping parts before the machining or injection molding of the final part takes place. 

 

It all depends on the specific application of the part and customer demands that will help formulate how additive manufacturing can add value to your product lifecycle.  

Have you determined that machining is required for your application?  We collaborate with a high precision machine shop that will exceed your expectations.

Check out 

Project Name

AM compared to Conventional Machining

AM Improves Conventional Mfg.PNG

Source: MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Source: MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Project Name

With AM "Complexity is FREE"

Complexity is Free.PNG

Source: MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Source: MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Project Name

In low to medium volumes, AM parts are much more cost effective than machined parts

Cost per Part Machining v Printing.PNG

Source: MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Source: MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

bottom of page