Additive Manufacturing

The technology that uses computer-aided design CAD to build 3D objects by adding layer-upon-layer of material, whether the material is plastic, metal or concrete is known as Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing.

This contrasts with traditional manufacturing, which cuts, drills, and grinds away unwanted excess from a solid piece of material. It is defined as the process of joining materials to make objects from 3D model data, usually layer upon layer, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing methodologies.

Synonyms are additive fabrication, additive processes, additive techniques, additive layer manufacturing, layer manufacturing, and free-form fabrication.