Additive manufacturing technologies : 3D printing, rapid prototyping and direct digital manufacturing / Ian Gibson, David Rosen, and Brent Stucker.

First edition published 2010.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction and Basic Principles -- Development of Additive Manufacturing Technology -- Generalized Additive Manufacturing Process Chain -- Vat Photopolymerization Processes -- Powder Bed Fusion Processes -- Extrusion-Based Systems -- Material jetting -- Binder Jetting -- Sheet Lamination Processes -- Directed Energy Deposition Processes -- Direct Write Technologies -- The Impact of Low-Cost AM Systems -- Post-processing -- Software Issues for Additive Manufacturing -- Direct Digital Manufacturing -- Design for Additive Manufacturing -- Rapid Tooling -- Applications for Additive Manufacture -- Business Opportunities and Future Directions.

This book covers in detail the various aspects of joining materials to form parts. A conceptual overview of rapid prototyping and layered manufacturing is given, beginning with the fundamentals so that readers can get up to speed quickly. Unusual and emerging applications such as micro-scale manufacturing, medical applications, aerospace, and rapid manufacturing are also discussed. This book provides a comprehensive overview of rapid prototyping technologies as well as support technologies such as software systems, vacuum casting, investment casting, plating, infiltration and other systems.--Provided by publisher.