Additive Manufacturing of Metals: From Fundamental Technology to Rocket Nozzles, Medical Implants, and Custom Jewelry (Springer Series in Materials Science, 258)

The definitive reference on Additive Manufacturing of Metals.

“Additive Manufacturing of Metals: From Fundamental Technology to Rocket Nozzles, Medical Implants, and Custom Jewelry,” by J. O. Milewski is an outstanding book for anyone interested in quickly coming up to speed in the rapidly expanding field of 3D fabrication of metal structures. Written by one of the pioneers of this field, J. O. Milewski has clearly condensed all the major AM processes into one very readable book, without the use of high level mathematics or technical jargon that complicates many of the other AM publications. The fundamentals of lasers, electron beams, and welding arcs, as used to make 3D “printed” parts from both powder and wire feedstock are presented, and connected to each other by the underlying formation of a localized liquid metal melt pool that is used to build structures with dimensions from microns to meters, layer by layer, without the use of molds. The cited references are open sourced, so that the reader can easily access additional information to dig deeper into any specific topic, while acronyms and language specific to metal AM is presented in the book’s glossary to make this job easier for readers new to the field. Unlike other books that focus on one of the many metal AM technologies, Additive Manufacturing of Metals covers all the major technologies, and does this throughout the entire process from computer aided design, to feed stock production, and on to 3D manufacture and finishing of the final part. This is a no hype book, where advantages, and disadvantages, of each technology are clearly covered, and where economics and operational safety considerations of metal AM technology are discussed. Additive Manufacturing of Metals is a must read for engineers and program managers starting to think about adding AM to their manufacturing portfolio, for students and professionals in the mechanical, engineering, manufacturing, and design fields, as well as for hobbyists, and is a useful text for instructors in both educational institutions and workshop settings.

I was lucky enough to read a pre-publication copy of this book, and happy to see that it is now available to the industry. This exhaustive overview of AM processes and design considerations is appropriate for the business person assessing the potential benefits of this disruptive technology, the engineer unfamiliar with the nuts and bolts of 3D printing, or the AM user balancing the pros and cons of each 3D printing process or trying to select a particular process for a particular application or materials set.

Great book. Very easy to read and very informative.