Skip to ContentGo to accessibility page
OpenStax Logo
Additive Manufacturing Essentials

Case Questions

Additive Manufacturing EssentialsCase Questions

Case Questions

35 .
Print out the process mapping image. Search online for 3 different additive manufacturing technologies of your choice and learn all aspects of the technology. Follow the flow lines on the process map of each of your identified technologies to ensure the process map’s accuracy. Is it correct? Did you find errors? Will the technology change in the future thereby making the process map obsolete?
36 .
Read the following case study and answer the following questions.
a. Why did it take so long to print the mammoth skeleton?
b. With the file size of 21 GB of data representing the mammoth, what problems could this cause with processing AM files?
37 .
Read the case studies and answer the following questions.
a. Why was AM used for these systems?
b. Which case study is your favorite example of AM powder bed processes, and why?
38 .
Read the case study and answer the following questions.
a. What are the advantages and disadvantages of these homes?
b. Could this technology be used beyond earth?
39 .
Read the case study and answer the following questions.
a. What are the advantages and disadvantages of direct ink write technology?
b. What applications exist for this technology?
40 .
Watch the case study videos regarding large scale polymer material extrusion technology known as BAAM and answer the following questions.
a. What are some other applications you could think of that could be made with this system?
b. Which demonstrated application could have broader industrial implications?
41 .
Read the case study and answer the following questions.
a. Given the scale of DED blown powder technology, what other uses do you see for this technology?
b. What is a main advantage of using DED blown powder for this application?
42 .
Watch the video regarding ultrasonic consolidation and answer the following question.
What are some other applications you could think of that could be made with this system?
43 .
Watch the video on cold spray of a copper rocket nozzle and answer the following questions.
a. Given the scale of cold spray, what other uses do you see for this technology?
b. What would be the limitation of this technology relative to feature detail of metal powder bed fusion or binder jet?
44 .
Read the article on post processing costs and answer the following questions.
a. How much extra cost would you incur beyond printing your part with post processing in mind?
b. Though the article doesn’t mention a time frame for each post processing step, take a guess on how much extra time may be involved to post process sheet lamination ultrasonic consolidated parts versus powder bed fusion laser metal.
PreviousNext
Order a print copy
Citation/Attribution
Reuse and redistribution of this content in digital or print format:
  • This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's prior written permission.
  • This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License, which means that you can reuse and modify the material only for noncommercial purposes, must attribute OpenStax, and must distribute any derivative works under the same license.
  • Any commercial printing of this textbook, including using a local or custom printer, must be approved by OpenStax, and proper citation provided.
  • OpenStax-copyrighted images, activities, assessments, and similar components of this book are subject to the same licensing – CC-BY-NC-SA. They can be used for noncommercial purposes with attribution. Commercial use requires permission.
  • Permission requests: Anyone who intends to incorporate this content (including text, images, and other components) into large language models, use it in AI offerings, use it commercially (including in print), and/or has questions about another use case is welcome to complete our reuse request form.
Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/additive-manufacturing-essentials/pages/1-introduction

  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial digital format, then for every page that includes OpenStax content, you must license the derivative work under the same CC-BY-NC-SA license as the original, and include on every digital page view the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/additive-manufacturing-essentials/pages/1-introduction

Citation information

The information below includes the information needed to generate citations in most major styles (APA, MLA, etc.); you must reformat and organize the information as needed to fit the requirements of the style. Use the information below to generate a citation. We recommend using a citation tool such as this one.

© Apr 23, 2026 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo, and Rice University name, and Rice University logo trademarks, or wordmarks are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.