Precision additive metal manufacturing

Additive manufacturing is an increasingly used production method with the ability to evoke a revolution in manufacturing due to its almost unlimited design freedom and its capability to produce personalised parts locally and with efficient material use. Currently still several technological challenges remain such as a limited precision due to shrinkage, build-in stresses and dross formation at overhanging structures and a limited process stability and robustness. Moreover post-processing is often needed as as-processed parts have a high surface roughness and might have, in some cases, remaining porosity