Sensors (Apr 2024)

Additive Manufacturing: A Comprehensive Review

  • Longfei Zhou,
  • Jenna Miller,
  • Jeremiah Vezza,
  • Maksim Mayster,
  • Muhammad Raffay,
  • Quentin Justice,
  • Zainab Al Tamimi,
  • Gavyn Hansotte,
  • Lavanya Devi Sunkara,
  • Jessica Bernat

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092668
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 9
p. 2668

Abstract

Read online

Additive manufacturing has revolutionized manufacturing across a spectrum of industries by enabling the production of complex geometries with unparalleled customization and reduced waste. Beginning as a rapid prototyping tool, additive manufacturing has matured into a comprehensive manufacturing solution, embracing a wide range of materials, such as polymers, metals, ceramics, and composites. This paper delves into the workflow of additive manufacturing, encompassing design, modeling, slicing, printing, and post-processing. Various additive manufacturing technologies are explored, including material extrusion, VAT polymerization, material jetting, binder jetting, selective laser sintering, selective laser melting, direct metal laser sintering, electron beam melting, multi-jet fusion, direct energy deposition, carbon fiber reinforced, laminated object manufacturing, and more, discussing their principles, advantages, disadvantages, material compatibilities, applications, and developing trends. Additionally, the future of additive manufacturing is projected, highlighting potential advancements in 3D bioprinting, 3D food printing, large-scale 3D printing, 4D printing, and AI-based additive manufacturing. This comprehensive survey aims to underscore the transformative impact of additive manufacturing on global manufacturing, emphasizing ongoing challenges and the promising horizon of innovations that could further elevate its role in the manufacturing revolution.

Keywords