3D printing is progressively becoming a ubiquitous and low-cost technology, available to the consumer. At the same time, high-cost additive manufacturing (AM) is increasingly being used in demanding applications such as to produce structural aerospace components. Within industry, the two technologies are often seen as being distinctly different. However, developments are causing the boundaries to become increasingly blurred. Examples include high-strength 3D-printed plastic being used for non-structural aircraft components, and consumer-grade desktop 3D printers producing relatively high-strength carbon-fibre-reinforced parts.
展开▼
