Manufacturing process

Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing builds parts layer by layer from digital data, without molds or fixtures — useful for prototypes, complex internal geometry and low-volume parts in polymers and metals.

Process overview

Additive manufacturing builds components directly from digital geometry, enabling complex shapes that may be difficult or inefficient to manufacture conventionally. Available processes can support rapid prototypes, tooling aids and functional end-use parts in polymers or metals. Selection depends on material, geometry, dimensional accuracy, surface requirements, mechanical performance and production quantity.

Several technologies sit under the additive umbrella. Polymer processes include selective laser sintering (SLS) and multi jet fusion for functional nylon parts, stereolithography (SLA) for fine detail and smooth surfaces, and FDM for larger, simpler parts and fixtures. Metal parts are commonly produced by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), with binder jetting and directed energy deposition used for specific applications.

The strengths of additive manufacturing are geometric freedom and speed from CAD to part: lattice structures, conformal cooling channels, consolidated assemblies and customised parts become feasible without tooling. The limitations are build volume, surface roughness, direction-dependent properties and cost per part at higher volumes. Metal parts typically need stress relief and support removal, and often heat treatment, HIP and machining of functional surfaces.

Many projects therefore combine printing with conventional post-processing, and a part that works well as a printed prototype may be redesigned for casting or molding as volumes grow.

Typical capabilities & what manufacturers can produce

What manufacturers can produce

  • Functional prototypes and design iterations
  • Jigs, fixtures and gripper fingers
  • Lightweight brackets with lattice or topology-optimised geometry
  • Mold inserts with conformal cooling
  • Low-volume end-use parts and spare parts
  • Customised medical and dental parts, where the supplier’s quality system covers them

Capabilities under this process

Suitable materials

Materials commonly used with this process — an editorial reference, not a statement about facilities in the Metraxio network. Suitability always depends on the part and its application.

Relevant industries

Industries whose Metraxio industry guides list Additive Manufacturing as a common process, with the typical use in each.

What buyers should specify

The details that make Additive Manufacturing quotes comparable and let facilities be assessed on the right criteria.

3D model
STEP, or a high-resolution STL or 3MF, with functional surfaces highlighted.
Technology and material
For example SLS PA12, LPBF 316L or Ti-6Al-4V — or left open for the supplier to propose.
Mechanical requirements
Properties needed and, if critical, in which build direction.
Post-processing
Support removal, heat treatment or HIP, machining, blasting, dyeing or coating.
Tolerances and surface
Critical dimensions and roughness, and which features will be machined after printing.
Quantity
Prototype quantities or recurring batches.
Documentation
Powder and material certificates, build reports, CT scans or density measurements if required.

On Metraxio these details become a structured manufacturing requirement. Processes, capabilities, materials, certifications and part size are checked against facility profiles; tolerances, finishes and inspection details travel with your drawings and are reviewed during quoting rather than used as automatic filters.

Frequently asked questions

When is 3D printing cheaper than machining or molding?

Usually at low quantities, for complex geometry, or for parts that would need many set-ups or dedicated tooling. For simple parts or higher volumes, conventional processes are often cheaper.

Are printed metal parts as strong as machined ones?

Properly processed LPBF parts can reach properties comparable to wrought material for some alloys, but results depend on material, orientation, post-processing and inspection. Critical parts should be qualified by testing.

Which file format should I send?

STEP is preferred for metal parts that will be machined; STL or 3MF is common for polymer printing. A drawing is still needed for tolerances.

Start a Manufacturing Project

Upload a drawing or describe what you need. Process context from this page can be reviewed before it becomes a structured requirement.

Suggested process is prefilled for review — you can change it.