Which additive manufacturing method uses sintering of granulated material to produce parts?

The additive manufacturing method that utilizes sintering of granulated material to produce parts is powder bed fusion (PBF). This process involves spreading a thin layer of powdered material, typically metal or plastic, and using a heat source, such as a laser or electron beam, to selectively fuse the particles together based on the 3D design. The result is a solid part formed from the fused powder.

PBF is distinguished by its ability to produce highly detailed and complex geometries, as well as its suitability for a variety of materials. Due to the nature of the sintering process, PBF can achieve strong part integrity and is often employed in applications that require high-performance components, such as in aerospace and medical industries.

Other additive manufacturing methods listed do not rely on sintering. For example, fused deposition modeling (FDM) works by extruding thermoplastic filaments through a heated nozzle, while stereolithography (SLA) utilizes a laser to cure liquid resin into solid layers. Polymer jetting deposits droplets of material layer by layer and cures them, but does not involve sintering either. Therefore, the unique characteristics of powder bed fusion and its reliance on the sintering process clearly define it as the correct answer.