What is the difference between rapid manufacturing and additive manufacturing?

Rapid manufacturing and additive manufacturing are related but distinct concepts in the realm of manufacturing:

Additive Manufacturing (AM): 

Also known as 3D printing, additive manufacturing involves building objects layer by layer from digital 3D models. It encompasses various technologies such as stereolithography (SLA), fused deposition modeling (FDM), selective laser sintering (SLS), and others. AM is characterized by its ability to produce complex geometries and customized parts with relatively low waste compared to traditional subtractive manufacturing methods.

Rapid Manufacturing (RM): 

Rapid manufacturing refers to the use of advanced technologies and processes to quickly produce end-use parts or products directly from digital designs or data. While additive manufacturing is often a key component of rapid manufacturing, it also incorporates other techniques such as CNC machining, injection molding, and sheet metal fabrication. The primary focus of rapid manufacturing is on speed and agility in bringing products to market, often in small batch sizes or on-demand.

In summary, additive manufacturing is a subset of rapid manufacturing, with rapid manufacturing encompassing a broader range of technologies and approaches for quickly producing end-use parts or products.

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