What is meant by the term additive production?

The term additive production refers to a manufacturing process where objects are created by adding material layer by layer, rather than removing material from a solid block, which is characteristic of subtractive manufacturing processes. This method allows for complex geometries and structures that might be challenging or impossible to achieve using traditional manufacturing techniques.

In additive production, materials such as plastic, metal, or ceramics are deposited incrementally to form an object. Techniques like 3D printing fall under this category, emphasizing the innovative approach that enables rapid prototyping and customized designs directly from digital models. By building up an object layer by layer, it allows for efficient use of materials and can often reduce waste compared to more conventional methods.

While other answers refer to different manufacturing strategies or material management practices, they do not accurately capture the essence of what additive production specifically entails. The focus on layering materials to create objects distinguishes additive production uniquely in the field of engineering and design.