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Additive Manufacturing is also referred to as Additive Freeform Fabrication, Rapid Prototyping, Layered manufacturing or 3D printing. The technique physically constructs or manifests 3D geometries directly from 3D CAD. The history of the process spans approximately 25 years. It was originally known as Rapid Prototyping because the technology was used to make prototypes of parts without having to invest the time or resources to develop tooling or other traditional methods. In the past 10 years the machines have become practical both in cost and speed. This has led to the expansion of the technologies use in industry and an explosive growth in the sales and distribution of the hardware and the emergence of a new industry for better software tools to make more effective use of the technology.

As the speed, reliability and accuracy of the hardware improves, the potential exists for additive manufacturing to replace or compliment traditional manufacturing as a means to produce end use products and eventually the potential for complete elimination on the reliance of traditional manufacturing.