Additive manufacturing, commonly called 3D printing, builds objects layer by layer directly from a digital model.
Unlike subtractive machining that removes material, it adds material only where needed, enabling complex geometries and rapid prototyping.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) melts and extrudes thermoplastic filament layer by layer. Stereolithography (SLA) cures liquid resin with a laser. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) fuses powdered material using a laser.
Each process suits different needs: FDM for cheap prototypes, SLA for fine detail, and SLS for strong functional parts. Metal printing techniques like DMLS extend this to aerospace and medical components.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Branch | Mechanical Engineering (ME) |
| Topic Type | Technical Seminar / Project Report |
| Difficulty | Intermediate – Advanced |
| Best For | Final-year BTech seminars & presentations |
| Includes | Explanation, key points, FAQs & references |