Which AM method involves dispensing an adhesive material onto layers of granulated build material?

Binder jetting is a 3D printing process in which an adhesive material is selectively dispensed onto layers of granulated build material. This method utilizes a print head that moves over a powder bed, depositing the binding agent in specific areas where the final part will form. Once a layer of binding agent is applied, a new layer of powder is spread over the top, and the process repeats until the object is fully built.

The result is a solid structure as the layers bond together where the adhesive is applied, while the unbound powder remains, which can be removed after the printing process is complete. The versatility of binder jetting allows for a range of materials to be used, including metals, ceramics, and plastics, expanding its application in various industries.

In contrast, fused deposition modeling involves extruding thermoplastic filaments, selective laser sintering uses a laser to fuse powdered materials, and material extrusion describes a broader category that includes multiple processes for shaping material using extrusion techniques. These methods do not involve dispensing adhesive onto powders in the same way binder jetting does.