Directed Energy Deposition (DED)

- Directed Energy Deposition (DED) is a 3D printing method which uses a focused energy
source, such as a plasma arc, laser or electron beam to melt a material which is
simultaneously deposited by a nozzle. As with other additive manufacturing processes, DED
systems can be used to add material to existing components, for repairs, or occasionally to
build new parts.
- Typically used to work on metal parts, this process can also be used
with polymers and ceramics. Almost any weldable metal can be additively manufactured
using DED, including aluminium, inconel, niobium, stainless steel, tantalum, titanium and
titanium alloys, and tungsten.

Material Extrusion

- Material extrusion is an additive manufacturing (AM) technique that deposits a

continuous filament of composite or thermoplastic material to build 3D parts layer by
layer. The filament is fed from a spool through a heated extruding nozzle, which
heats the material and deposits it onto a build platform.
Powder Bed Fusion

- Powder bed fusion (PBF) is a 3D printing method that joins powdered

material point by point using an energy source, typically a laser beam or an
electron beam. PBF is possible with both metals and polymers, although not
all materials are compatible.
- Generally, powder bed fusion works by applying an energy source to fuse
together powdered material. A recoater blade or roller spreads a thin layer of
powder across a build surface, the energy source selectively melts or sinters
the material needed for that layer, and then the build plate descends to make
way for the next layer.
- Vat Photopolymerisation

- produces 3D objects by selectively curing photopolymer liquid resin using light-activated

polymerization.
- Vat photopolymerization creates parts with excellent surface finishes by curing a
liquid photopolymer resin one layer at a time using light. First, the build platform is lowered
into the vat of resin. Then, UV light, typically from a laser or projector, causes a reaction
within the resin. The photopolymer’s molecules bond together to form a solid, and the build
platform moves away from the light source to allow additional layers to be built on top of the
previous ones. After the part is fully formed, the resin is drained and the part is removed.

The most common vat photopolymerization 3D printing technologies include:

 Stereolithography (SLA)
 Digital Light Processing (DLP)
 Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP)
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