additive manufacturing: building objects layer by layer from digital models
materials: polymer (FDM, SLA), metal (SLM, DMLS), concrete, ceramic, biological tissue
FDM (fused deposition modeling): thermoplastic filament extruded through heated nozzle
SLA (stereolithography): UV laser cures liquid photopolymer
metal printing: laser or electron beam melts powder bed, aerospace and medical parts
concrete printing: large-scale construction of buildings and infrastructure
bioprinting: living cells deposited in scaffolds for tissue engineering
enables decentralized production: manufacture at point of need
reduces waste compared to subtractive machining (milling, turning)
digital fabrication aligns with cyberia principles of local self-sufficiency
semiconductor controllers and stepper motors drive all modern 3D printers