3D Printing

Why Trust Techopedia

What Does 3D Printing Mean?

3D printing is a manufacturing process through which three-dimensional (3D) solid objects are created. It enables the creation of physical 3D models of objects using a series of additive or layered development framework, where layers are laid down in succession to create a complete 3D object.

Advertisements

3D printing is also known as additive manufacturing.

Techopedia Explains 3D Printing

3D printing is an alternative to the traditional product manufacturing process, where objects were designed by cutting and forcibly shaping raw material and constructing an object through the use of molds and dies.

The 3D printing process is completed in various stages. First, it takes graphical data input from the computer, which is often created using a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) tool, and cuts the data to accommodate separate object layers or components. The segmented/layered graphical data is sent to the 3D printer, which applies the required combination of raw material for that particular layer. The printer then adds up the product development layer by layer until it is completely designed and finished according to the design criteria.

Advertisements

Related Terms

Margaret Rouse
Technology expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology expert

Margaret is an award-winning writer and educator known for her ability to explain complex technical topics to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles in the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret’s idea of ​​a fun day is to help IT and business professionals to learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.