ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING

**Definition:** This place covers:

Technologies involving the use or application of processes or apparatus that produce three-dimensionally shaped structures by selectively depositing successive layers of material one upon another. In particular it covers processes, apparatus, materials, and other aspects of additive manufacturing, i.e., making, repairing, or modifying articles of manufacture by the selective application of multiple layers of material. The applied layers may be applied directly, as in a printing process, or by selective solidification of material onto a substrate or previously developed layers, for example, by selective sintering of a particulate.

**Glossary:** - 3D printing: Additive manufacturing where the buildup of successive layers of material includes the use of a printer-like device having a servo controlled head for dispensing materials that form the layers, similar to that used by inkjet printers - Stereolithography: Additive manufacturing technique where the successive layers of material are formed by selectively hardening regions of polymeric material successively applied to the structure, typically by the use of laser light.