What type of additive manufacturing enables the use of a binder to join powder particles?

Binder jetting is a specific type of additive manufacturing that utilizes a binding agent to join powder particles together. In this process, a liquid binder is selectively deposited onto a bed of powdered material, often metal or ceramic. The binder acts like an adhesive, holding the powder particles in place as layers are built up to create a solid part. After the printing process, the part is typically subjected to a post-processing step, which often involves sintering to achieve the desired mechanical properties and to remove any remaining binder.

This method is particularly advantageous as it allows for the production of complex geometries and shapes that may be difficult or impossible to achieve with other additive manufacturing processes. It also allows for the use of a wide variety of materials, which expands the applications of binder jetting in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical device manufacturing.

The other options, such as fused deposition modeling, stereolithography, and digital light processing, employ different mechanisms for part construction, either through melting thermoplastic filaments, curing liquid resin, or using light to solidify materials, which do not involve the binding of powders through a liquid binder.