Additive manufacturing, popularly known as 3-D printing, is the newest manufacturing technology which is taking the world by storm. Additive manufacturing is a process whereby a digital model is converted into a metallic three dimensional part by layering powders or wrought feed stock into a near net or a dimensionally complete part. There are many people in the world who claim additive manufacturing will never replace machining, otherwise known as subtractive manufacturing. On the other hand many believe additive manufacturing will someday change the world. As is so often the case this author believes that reality lies somewhere in between the skepticism and hype.

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