Additive manufacturing is the industrial production name for 3D printing which is the process of joining materials to make an object from a 3D (three-dimensional) model data.
It involves adding layer upon layer of a specific material by either melting, fusing or curing a photopolymer liquid until the product is completed to the CAD model geometry.
Usually parts require a secondary finishing process like post cure, cleaning and finishing to achieve the intended appearance and tolerance before they’re ready to use.