ABSTRACT
This chapter considers Additive Manufacturing processes utilizing binder jetting (BJ) with respect to various aspects, including: process description; raw materials; design and quality aspects of BJ; advantages and limitations of BJ; and applications. The BJ process is identical to two-dimensional printing in principle. However, as compared to printing on paper sheet as is done in 2D printing, 3D objects are printed as an output to this process. A thin layer of material in loose powdered form is first spread upon the build substrate. Printheads (PH) resemble those used in 2D printing, i.e. piezoelectric or thermal in nature. Binders are supposed to exhibit traits similar to original ink. The binder should preferably possess lower viscosity to enable its jetting via fine nozzles present in the printhead. Piezoelectric PHs possess a piezoelectric mechanism connected to a diaphragm that can push material from the nozzle as drops. Polymers metals, sands and ceramics can be successfully processed using BJ.
