Context, History, and Positioning of the Process

Additive manufacturing began to develop in the 1980s under the name “rapid prototyping.” Thanks to advances in computing and automation, it became possible to create algorithms capable of virtually slicing models (parts) into successive layers, paving the way for the production of complex parts directly from a digital model, without breaking the digital chain.

During the 1990s, technologies advanced and the first metal additive manufacturing machines appeared. Industrial needs shifted toward prototypes that were increasingly close to the final product. In 1996, the concept of rapid tooling emerged: additive manufacturing then made it possible to produce molds and tools for injection molding, casting, or stamping. The advent of metal-based processes...