Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing in Metalworking
Additive manufacturing (AM) refers to the application of 3D printing to create functional, industrial components including prototypes, tooling and end-use production parts. AM’s advantages include the freedom to produce small batches of intricate parts cost-effectively, as well as the freedom to realize part designs that would not be manufacturable in any other way, and in some cases to use materials that otherwise would be impractical to apply. The range of processes finding industrial applications includes direct metal deposition, electron beam melting, polymer processes such as fused filament fabritcation (FFF), and select laser sintering (SLS) or melting (SLM), among others. Some hybrid machine tools combine additive manufacturing with subtractive CNC machining. Modern Machine Shop has a sister magazine, Additive Manufacturing, that focuses on AM.
Phillips Corporation
Featured Content
View More
Phillips Corporation - Education
Featured Content
View MoreESSENTIAL READING
VIEW ALL
Shop Tour Video: How to Integrate Additive and Subtractive Machining
Addman Advanced Metals has scaled from a single 3D printer to 25 while also building out a robust array of subtractive machines. In this video, find out how the shop manages its additive and subtractive workflows — and how it combines the two into a profitable niche.
Watch
How to Meet Aerospace’s Material Challenges and More at IMTS
Succeeding in aerospace manufacturing requires high-performing processes paired with high-performance machine tools. IMTS can help you find both.
Read More
Go Digital: How to Succeed in the Fourth Industrial Revolution With Additive Manufacturing
The digitalization of manufacturing is set to transform production and global supply chains as we know them, and additive manufacturing has been leading the way in many industries.
Read More
4 Ways 3D Printing Is Changing Medical Implants
Additive manufacturing provides new ways of making medical implants, but its impact is greater than this. How 3D printing is changing medical manufacturing and improving patient outcomes.
Read More
5 Tips for Getting the Most From the Historic Return of North America’s Biggest Manufacturing Event
Plan. Explore. Think of the future. And oh yeah, the shoes. Here is how to get the most from the major manufacturing event that none of us have experienced in four years, and that many will be experiencing for the first time.
Read More
3 Uses for a Composite Polymer 3D Printer in a CNC Machine Shop
When RPG purchased its metal 3D printer, a polymer printer was part of the deal. Three uses this job shop has found for this fused filament fabrication system.
Read More
Latest Additive Manufacturing News And Updates
DN Solutions AM2CNC Platform Integrates Additive Manufacturing and CNC Machining in Single Workflow
IMTS 2026: DN Solutions demonstrates the AM2CNC platform, showcasing the DLX 450 metal additive system and DVF 5000 second gen five-axis machining center working together to take metal additive preforms through to finished, ready-to-use parts.
Read More
Axtra3D Production System Connects AM Processes for Improved Repeatability
IMTS 2026: Axtra3D introduces the Axtra Workflow, a fully connected and validated end-to-end additive manufacturing ecosystem that synchronizes build setup, printing, post-processing, inspection and data-driven traceability for industrial manufacturers.
Read More
Phillips Large-Format 3D Printer Improves Production Flexibility
IMTS 2026: Phillips Corp. features the M1 Metal AM system from MX3D, highlighting opportunities for large-format metal additive manufacturing in tooling, repair and industrial manufacturing applications.
Read More
Mastrex Metal 3D Printer Supports Industrial AM Accessibility
Mastrex’s MX300 laser powder bed fusion metal 3D printer is compatible with titanium, stainless steel, aluminum, cobalt-chrome, Inconel and more, designed for aerospace, defense and medical applications.
Read More
Shop Tour Video: How to Integrate Additive and Subtractive Machining
Addman Advanced Metals has scaled from a single 3D printer to 25 while also building out a robust array of subtractive machines. In this video, find out how the shop manages its additive and subtractive workflows — and how it combines the two into a profitable niche.
Watch
Tracing Domestic Manufacturing’s History at the American Precision Museum
The American Precision Museum connects new generations to the story of domestic precision manufacturing. Find out how it’s bringing new chapters of that story to life.
Read More
Featured Posts
Why This Moldmaker Thinks Every Shop Needs a 3D Printer
See how this mold shop uses polymer, carbon fiber and metal 3D printers to boost precision and productivity.
Watch
Vertical Integration, Automation Helping 3D Printed Spine Implant Manufacturer Scale Production
How did a leading spine implant manufacturer leverage 3D printing to compete on cost with CNC machining? Learn how advanced additive manufacturing techniques are redefining material efficiency and geometric complexity in medical devices.
Watch
The Downloadable Metal 3D Printer
Copenhagen researchers introduce a fully open-source laser powder bed fusion system, now available on GitHub. This release follows their development of an open-source vat polymerization machine. Here is the purpose and promise of this philanthropically funded effort to advance additive manufacturing application and adoption.
Watch
Video: Apply Metal and Machine It With Hermle’s Metal Powder Application (MPA) Process
The Metal Powder Application (MPA) process uses cold spray to apply metal to an existing workpiece. Because the material deforms rather than melts, MPA opens new possibilities for functional grading and other multimaterial applications.
Watch
OEMs Showcase Hybrid Manufacturing Applications
Mazak and Mastercam worked together to demonstrate the viability of hybrid additive/subtractive machining techniques at a recent event held in Florence, Kentucky.
Read More
How Additive Can Complement Subtractive Manufacturing
Think of additive and subtractive as complementary processes, rather than being in opposition.
Read More
FAQ: Additive Manufacturing
What is additive manufacturing?
“Additive manufacturing” (AM) describes the use of 3D printing to make functional components, including tools and end-use production parts. Unlike “subtractive manufacturing” processes such as machining, where parts are created by removing material, additive manufacturing builds geometries by “adding” feedstock such as filament, wire or powder.
Depending on the 3D printing process and application, additive manufacturing can utilize a growing catalog of materials including metal alloys, thermoplastics, thermoset polymers and composites.
Source: What is Additive Manufacturing?
Is additive manufacturing the same as 3D printing?
Some say yes and we say no! AM and 3D printing are overlapping terms but not synonyms. 3D printing is the operation at the heart of additive manufacturing, just as “turning” or “molding” might be the operation at the heart of a conventional manufacturing process.
In a nutshell, 3D printing is one step in an overall additive manufacturing workflow that also includes design, build preparation, postprocessing, business considerations and more.
Importantly, “3D printing” does not describe just one type of technology. Per ISO/ASTM, there are seven different “families” of 3D printing processes and a growing number of material and machine options.
Source: What is Additive Manufacturing?
Why use additive manufacturing?
Some associate AM with prototyping, but this is outdated. 3D printing has become well-established as a means of creating tooling for a range of conventional processes. And, manufacturers are increasingly adopting AM for production, including full-scale production.
Source: What is Additive Manufacturing?
What are some trends in additive manufacturing?
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning.
- Decentralized or distributed manufacturing.
- Robots and automation.
- Simulation.
- Sustainability.
Source: What is Additive Manufacturing?
What is Formnext Chicago?
Formnext Chicago is an industrial additive manufacturing expo taking place April 8-10, 2025 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.
Formnext Chicago is part of a series of Formnext events in the U.S. being produced by Mesago Messe Frankfurt, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, and Gardner Business Media (our publisher).
Here is the full lineup of Formnext events in North America:
- Formnext Forum Austin took place in August 2023 and will return to Texas in 2026.
- Additive Manufacturing Sector Powered by Formnext at IMTS in 2024
- Formnext Chicago in 2025
Additive Manufacturing Supplier Categories
- for Polymer Parts
- Material Extrusion
- Ceramics
- Directed Energy Deposition
- Job & File Management Software
- Binder Jetting
- Part Design Software
- Safety Equipment for Additive Manufacturing
- for Composite Parts
- Material Handling Equipment
- Part & Tooling Production Services
- Sheet Lamination
- Composites
- Polymer
- Powder Bed Fusion
- Postprocessing Equipment
- Material Jetting
- Vat Polymerization
- Hybrid AM Machines
- Metal
- for Metal Parts
- for Ceramic Parts
