In the early days, there were significant limitations to the build size of laser
powder bed fusion (L-PBF) additive manufacturing (AM) machines. However, machine
builders have addressed that drawback by introducing larger L-PBF machines with
expansive build volumes. As these machines grow, their size capability
approaches that of directed energy deposition (DED) machines. Concurrently, DED
machines have gained additional axes of motion which enable increasingly complex
part geometries—resulting in near-overlap in capabilities at the large end of
the L-PBF build size. Additionally, competing technologies, such as binder jet
AM and metal material extrusion, have also increased in capability, albeit with
different starting points. As a result, the lines of demarcation between
different processes are becoming blurred.
Internal Boundaries of Metal Additive Manufacturing: Future Process
Selection examines the overlap between three prominent powder-based
technologies and outlines an approach that a product team can follow to
determine the most appropriate process for current and future applications.