Additive manufacturing—or 3D printing—is a process that builds three-dimensional objects layer by layer from a digital model.

Material such as plastics, metals, ceramics, and composites are deposited one layer at a time. This approach enables the creation of complex, highly precise parts that may be challenging or impossible to achieve using traditional manufacturing techniques.

Compared to subtractive-only conventional manufacturing, there are several advantages to additive manufacturing including rapid prototyping, customization, reduced material waste, decentralized production, and on-demand manufacturing.