Additive Manufacturing Processes: Which One Primarily Uses Wire/Filament?
In additive manufacturing (AM), the primary raw feed form is a key distinguishing factor among processes. Among the options given, the process that primarily uses raw material in the form of a wire/filament is Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).
At a high level:
- Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) builds parts by extruding material from a heated nozzle fed by filament (typically a polymer filament spooled for feeding).
- Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) primarily uses powder (not filament).
- Stereo Lithography (SLA) primarily uses liquid resin (not filament).
- Binder Jetting primarily uses a powder bed with binder (not filament).
Correct choice
(iii) Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Note: The rest of this section explains the raw-material forms and how each process deposits/solidifies material.
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) overview
What “raw material in wire/filament form” means
“Wire/filament feedstock” refers to a continuous strand (commonly thermoplastic) that is mechanically advanced into a heated nozzle, where it is melted/extruded to form successive layers. This is the defining raw-material characteristic of FDM.
Key AM raw forms (conceptual):
- Filament feedstock → used by FDM
- Powder bed → used by SLS and Binder Jetting
- Liquid photopolymer resin → used by SLA
Identify the process from the raw-material form (wire/filament vs powder vs resin)
- 1Step 1
If the material is supplied as a continuous strand (wire/filament), the process is typically an extrusion-based AM method.
- 2Step 2
Filament is melted and deposited through a nozzle → FDM.
- 3Step 3
If the material is a powder bed, then it matches SLS or Binder Jetting.
- 4Step 4
If the material is a liquid resin cured by light, then it matches SLA.
Raw Material Form by AM Process (Given Options)
Which processes primarily use wire/filament vs powder vs liquid resin.
Quick comparisons (why the other options don’t fit wire/filament)
Exam strategy
When an AM question asks about wire/filament, immediately think extrusion-based processes—most prominently FDM—and then verify whether the distractors are powder- or resin-based.
Knowledge Check
Which additive manufacturing process primarily utilizes raw material in the form of a wire/filament?