Fundamentals and Applications of Additive Manufacturing: Hardware, Software, Methods, Materials and Future Trends

Through nine chapters covering software, hardware, solid-based, liquid-based, and powder-based 3D printing processes, this textbook provides a comprehensive but easy-to-understand and application-oriented guide to the fundamentals and applications of 3D printing.

Readers are guided through various topics in a structured and logical manner that takes them from an initial comprehensive discussion of the topic to specialized chapters on advanced areas. The authors compare additive manufacturing with conventional processes; introduce computer-aided design; explore data preparation techniques including 3D printing interfaces; and provide information regarding STL files, model slicing, toolpath generation, 3D printing material, solid-liquid-powder-based 3D printing processes, post-processing techniques, advancements and future trends in 3D printing. The book also discusses printing accuracy, precision and tolerance and open-source data preparation software such as Fusion 360 and Tinkercad. To ensure readers’ comprehensive understanding of the different printing methods, the book discusses solid-, liquid- and powder-based 3D printing processes and their principles, workings, applications, post-processing techniques and future trends. Images and descriptive figures effectively illustrate the concepts and processes throughout, aiding in the understanding and retention of the concepts and processes. Every chapter includes learning outcomes, discussion topics, self-check exercises and multiple-choice questions help teachers and students to assess their learning.

The broad coverage and engaging discussion format make this an ideal textbook for undergraduate and postgraduate students and an accessible reference for enthusiasts with elementary knowledge. In guiding readers from the basic concepts through to individual methodologies and printing techniques, it is invaluable to any reader who aims for a career related to any related application and industry.

Sharad Kumar Pradhan is Director of THDC Institute of Hydropower Engineering and Technology, Tehri, India (on deputation) and is a Professor Mechanical Engineering at the National Institute of Technical Teachers’ Training and Research (NITTTR), Bhopal. Before joining NITTTR Bhopal he was a Scientist at ‘Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute’ (CMERI), Durgapur, (WB), India. He attained his Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India.

Ankit Nayak is an Assistant Professor at UPES, Dehradun, India. Prior to this, he was a Postdoctoral Fellow in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Hong Kong. He obtained his Ph.D. in 2020 from the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design & Manufacturing (IIITDM) Jabalpur.

Surendra Singh Thakur is a Senior Project Engineer at 3D Engineering Automation LLP, Pune, India. He obtained his B.Tech from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Surat, followed by his M.Tech and Ph.D.

Vishal Francis is an Associate Professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering at Lovely Professional University, India. He obtained his PhD from the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Jabalpur, India.

Aniket Nagargoje is an Assistant Professor at MIT Academy of Engineering, India. He obtained his BE from Savitribai Phule Pune University in 2014, his M.Tech from GGV, Bilaspur in 2017, and his Ph.D from Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing, Jabalpur in June 2022.