Laser Additive Manufacturing Technology Review

Abstract

Additive manufacturing technology is taking great attentions in these days because the term 3D-printing became a hot issue as the next generation manufacturing paradigm. Especially, laser additive manufacturing is at the center of interest thanks to the accuracy compared to other heat sources. In this report, recent papers about laser additive manufacturing are analyzed and reviewed. General technology is specified into three different categories and they are laser sintering, laser melting and laser metal deposition. Similarities and differences are clearly described by detailed technologies and used materials type. Representative application examples are selected then future of this technology is expected through those applications. Additionally, market of laser additive manufacturing systems itself and application fields are also predicted based on present 3D-printing market and technical progressions.