3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is an umbrella term for manufacturing technologies that can generate parts by growing them out of base material. This differs from subtractive manufacturing, such as CNC machining, where a bulk material is reduced to its final shape through cutting or forming. Additive manufacturing is a powerful tool for generating custom parts, often with complex geometries, and serves industries from aerospace & defense, to automotive, to medical and dental, and beyond. We have incorporated a variety of metal and plastic additive manufacturing options across our portfolio of over 20 processes and have worked to build tools to manage and understand the nuances of qualifying 3D printed components over those that are traditionally manufactured.

In the realm of manufacturing, the evolution from traditional methods to additive manufacturing (AM) represents a paradigm shift, bending some of the rules and preconceptions behind the design and qualification of parts. Additive manufacturing typically has benefits for low-volume manufacturing where value can be added at a reduced cost for similar results. This can be for applications like prototyping as well as functional, end-use parts that incorporate more features without assembly, generated organic geometries, and purpose-driven lightweight structures. However, this transition is not without its intricacies, especially when it comes to ensuring quality and consistency. In this article, we’ll delve into the complex world of additive manufacturing inspection, exploring the challenges and considerations unique to parts that are grown versus cut.