ABSTRACT
Additive Manufacturing (AM) is an automated manufacturing technique for fabricating three-dimensional layered artefacts directly from computer aided designs without the need of any tool, jig or fixture. AM, along with subtractive techniques and formative fabrication, form an integral part of manufacturing environment. A wide variety of AM machines are commercially available in the market. Application level and type of AM process constitute two major bases for their nomenclature. This chapter provides a basic overview of the correct terminology to be utilized in the three main AM based domains, i.e. prototyping, tooling and manufacturing. A common myth surrounding this field is that it is mostly thought of as process based field rather than application-based approach. AM provides a unique ability to fabricate components with high variability and flexibility in geometrical features. It offers a path of fabricating some special components like light hollow contours or mold cavities with passages for internal cooling, etc.
