Technical FAQs for Metal Additive Manufacturing: Materials, Tolerances, and Process Control

Get answers to the engineering-level questions that drive performance. From material properties to dimensional accuracy and process repeatability, this section dives into what makes additive manufacturing technically viable for critical parts.

 

How does the strength of printed parts compare to traditionally manufactured parts?

Parts printed with metal AM can achieve mechanical properties equivalent to or exceeding those of cast or machined components. Additive processes allow for topology optimization, reducing weight while maintaining strength.
See how in this Case Study

 

Can designers anticipate workpiece shrinkage, and is it consistent?

Yes, shrinkage in metal AM is predictable and can be compensated for in the design phase using simulation tools. AddUp’s software enables precise adjustments to ensure dimensional accuracy.

 

Is it possible to add material to an existing part or fuse parts together?

While our Powder Bed Fusion technology primarily builds parts from scratch, our Directed Energy Deposition (DED) methods can add material to existing components for repair or modification.
See our DED case studies to learn about the possibilities.

 

How can AddUp’s solutions improve part design and production efficiency?

• Optimized geometries with reduced weight
• Faster time-to-market compared to traditional manufacturing
• Reduction in material waste and machining steps

 

What is the depowdering process, and how does it affect cost?

Depowdering removes excess metal powder from printed parts before post-processing. Automated depowdering improves efficiency, reduces manual labor, and lowers overall costs by recovering unused powder.

 

How does AddUp’s monitoring system improve print quality?

The FormUp 350 integrates real-time process monitoring with:
• Melt pool monitoring to detect anomalies
• Thermal imaging to optimize energy distribution
• Automated powder management for consistent material properties
Learn about our monitoring software