ABSTRACT
Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each 3D printing method and relating those characteristics to your goals for product development are prerequisites for choosing the best method for your application. So in this chapter, before looking at popular 3D printing technologies and their benefits, let’s first talk about how 3D printing fits into the cycle of product development. We also go through all of the methods for each; each has a unique manner of shaping plastic and metal components, as well as variations in material choice, surface quality, durability, production efficiency, and price.
