Over the past decade, 3-D printing has transformed from a hobbyist or prototyping tool into an industrial-grade production process, referred to as additive manufacturing. Today, additively ...

Additive manufacturing (or 3D printing) performs well in prototyping, where speed and flexibility outweigh cost and throughput constraints. Problems begin when those same designs move into production.

Historically, the evolution of aerospace materials processing has been driven by the unyielding quest for lighter, stronger, and more durable materials. From the initial days of wood and fabric in ...