What manufacturing process involves stacking layers of material in order to create a finished part?

The correct answer is additive manufacturing because this process specifically involves the addition of material layer by layer to build a part. Unlike traditional manufacturing methods, which often subtract material from a larger block (as seen in subtractive manufacturing), additive manufacturing constructs objects by depositing material in precise locations based on a digital model. Each layer is fused or cured to the one before it, resulting in complex geometries and customized designs that are often difficult to achieve with other methods.

Additive manufacturing is particularly beneficial for rapid prototyping, allowing for quick iterations and modifications of designs. It is widely used in various industries for producing parts with intricate details or specific material properties tailored to the application.

The other options represent different manufacturing processes: subtractive manufacturing removes material, extrusion molding shapes materials through heating and forcing them through a mold, and compression molding forms parts by applying heat and pressure to a material within a mold. None of these processes utilize layer stacking in the same way that additive manufacturing does.