Additive Manufacturing: A New Industrial Revolution- A review

Authors

1 Department of Mechanical Engineering; College of Engineering Technology – Houn; Libya.

2 Department of Mechanical Engineering; Higher Institute of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning- Sawknah, Libya.

Abstract

Additive Manufacturing Technology has been developing rapidly in the last 30 years. Nowadays, it covers a large number of industries and applications. This technology indicates great potential for future development and an increasing number of industries benefit from the advantages of the additive manufacturing techniques. However, aerospace, automotive and medical industries have been leader in the use of this technology and will obviously drive it into the future. Currently, Stereolithography (SL), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), and 3D Printing represent the most important technologies for processing of plastics, whereas Selective Laser Melting (SLM or Laser Cusing) and Electron Beam Melting (EBM) are mostly used to create parts from a metal powder. The aim of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the most commercially important additive manufacturing technologies currently available for the manufacturing industry. It introduces the basic principles of the major common processes, highlights some of the key applications and challenges and finally, presents the recent developments and future trends in the additive manufacturing technology.

 

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