‘What is in a Word?’—The Use and Background for Terms and Definitions in Additive Manufacturing

Abstract

Historically and until present times, a large number of diverse terms and acronyms has been used to describe the different concepts and processes within the field of additive manufacturing (AM) and its applications. These terms and acronyms have most commonly had their origins in the early application of AM processes for rapid prototyping (RP) purposes. This has made the language traditionally used to describe AM technology well adapted and clear for individual processes and applications, but in a wider perspective, rather ambiguous and sometimes even misleading. In the situation for specific RP processes, this has not been a problem, but as this technology is migrating into industrial manufacturing processes the conditions and requirements for communication change significantly. In communication, not least for education and training, it is of critical importance to be able to use a consistent language and to convey a clear and unambiguous picture of the topics discussed. This challenge is being addressed by the ongoing development of a standard vocabulary for AM technology, which is intended to provide the necessary means for an efficient and clear communication of the most relevant terms and concepts, in particular for industrial applications of AM technology. This chapter describes the background for terms and their definitions used within AM, and how a more clear understanding for the technology is enabled by a consistent use of terms and definitions.