Skip to ContentGo to accessibility pageKeyboard shortcuts menu
OpenStax Logo
Additive Manufacturing Essentials

Introduction

Additive Manufacturing EssentialsIntroduction
Two people view two different types of machines in a manufacturing facility. They are surrounded by additional machines as well as a desk with a laptop displaying a design.
Figure 7.1 The digital thread refers to the data that is associated with and required for the design, materials selection, build planning, build, post-processing, and quality assurance processes in additive manufacturing. The digital thread becomes very complex and may have compatibility issues as machines of different types and origin are integrated into one process, as is the case in this hybrid manufacturing system. (credit: Modification of “hybrid manufacturing system” by Oak Ridge National Laboratory/Flickr, CC BY 2.0)

Chapter Outline

7.1 Digital Trends Throughout Manufacturing
7.2 The Digital Thread in Design for Additive Manufacturing
7.3 Processing a file for 3D printing
7.4 Simulation
7.5 The Digital Thread in AM Quality Assurance, Post-Processing, and Standards Alignment

The digital thread has come to represent a series of concepts throughout the manufacturing industry. Specific to additive manufacturing, it represents the accumulation of data that is generated at various steps of the 3D printing workflow. This not only includes the production of the part from an individual printer, but also the information that is generated at related steps including customer orders, design information, material details, and post-processing. The digital thread can be quite overwhelming and challenging to navigate given the fact that printing modalities and software solutions are continuing to evolve.

PreviousNext
Citation/Attribution

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 permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a 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 digital format, then you must 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

© Feb 19, 2025 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.