Solid freeform fabrication of ceramics

In this review, the author suggests that solid freeform fabrication is an extension of conventional manufacturing technology (made possible by advances in computing and automated shaping machinery). That is, the basic unit operations and the layered-assembly strategy have long histories, what is new is the automation thereof. It is further suggested that the key process control variables that arise when SSF is applied to ceramics are of a character that is familiar to ceramic processing in general. It is speculated that thoughtful extension of green machining practices may erode the current position of assembly-based approaches to SFF. Lastly, one under-explored application area for SFF is identified as the production of test specimens with unique and highly-controlled microstructure for scientific testing.