Additive Manufacturing (3D printing)

Additive manufacturing, often called 3D printing, is a process of creating objects by adding successive layers of material. Here are the general steps of the process:

**3D Modeling** : The process begins with the creation of a digital model of the object to be printed. This can be done using computer-aided design (CAD) software.

**Choice of material:** Depending on the printing technology chosen (FDM, SLA, SLS, etc.), different materials can be used, such as plastics, resins, metals or even ceramics.

**Printing** : The 3D printer begins creating the object by depositing or solidifying the material layer by layer. This process can take from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the size and complexity of the object.

**Finishing** : Finally, the object is inspected and prepared for its final use, whether for a prototype or a functional part.

Additive manufacturing offers advantages such as customization, waste reduction, and the ability to create complex geometries that would be difficult to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods.