What is additive manufacturing? Why is it important?
Additive manufacturing (AM) is the process of creating a physical model of a digital CAD 3D model by building up layers of material using a 3D printer. Compared with “3D printing,” AM is typically associated with industrial and manufacturing applications.
With Creo, you can innovate faster, improve time to market, and reduce expense by using AM for prototypes, fixtures, and production parts. Design, optimize, and print with ease, all within the Creo design environment.
Additive manufacturing print technologies
There are several fundamental printer technologies, each optimized for specific materials and desired outcomes. Fortunately, Creo makes it easy to 3D print to a wide variety of brands and types of printers.
Powder bed fusion
Thermal energy from an electron laser beam fuses layers from a powdered material bed. For both polymers and metals, power bed fusion (PBF) is ideal for precise, functional parts.
Material extrusion
Material filament is extruded through a nozzle and deposited in layers. This produces inexpensive physical models using polymer, metal, and composite materials.
Binder jetting
A bonding agent joins thin layers of powdered materials. Metal and composite materials can be used to produce low-cost, high-volume parts.
Photopolymerization
Layers of liquid polymer are cured by a light or heat source. This process produces a high-quality surface finish, ideal for prototypes.
Direct energy deposition
Metal is melted, deposited, and fused in place. This print technology is perfect for large metal products.
Industry applications
Automotive
Additive manufacturing helps automotive manufacturers speed development, keep production lines moving, and deliver a variety of production and service parts. Additive helps manufacturers as they continue to transition from internal combustion to electric vehicles.
Aerospace
Today’s innovative additive manufacturing helps aerospace and defense manufacturers deliver high-performance, lightweight products, while controlling costs.
Medical
Additive manufacturing helps life science manufacturers expedite delivery of high-quality, life-changing products, with everything from custom medical parts to high-volume disposables and pharmaceuticals.
Additive manufacturing capabilities
Create parametrically controlled lattice structures and fully detailed parts with accurate mass properties.
Identify printability issues in your design
Scale, position, and show a clipped view of the model and probable support material on the tray
Automatically optimize the position of the model in the tray for printing
Define profiles for multiple supported printers
Modify, manage, and save print tray assemblies
Assign materials and colors, calculate build and material consumption, and print directly from Creo to supported 3D printers
Connect directly to service bureaus—such as i.materialise—for access to more than 100 materials
With variability control, you can reinforce the lattices how you wish (requires extension)
Additive manufacturing resource hub
Learn more about additive manufacturing, its advantages, how to apply it to your design process, and which package to choose.
Lattice Structures for Design Engineers: A Beginner’s Guide
Take a closer look at these versatile lattice structures. Find out what they are and why you want to add them to your design repertoire.
Additive manufacturing tools included in Creo
See how to start taking advantage of the power and benefits of additive manufacturing immediately.
3D metal printing with Creo and Materialise
With Materialise SG+ technology integrated right into Creo's tray assembly, Creo gives you the tools you need to design for AM up to the build preparation stage.