Which additive manufacturing process involves depositing adhesive material into powdered material?

The process that involves depositing adhesive material into powdered material is binder jetting. In binder jetting, a liquid binding agent is selectively distributed onto layers of powder material, typically metals or ceramics, to create solid objects. This method is distinct from others, as it does not involve melting the material but rather uses the binder to adhere the powder particles together, followed by a curing process to develop the final part.

The other processes differ in their methodologies: material extrusion typically involves melting and extruding thermoplastic materials layer by layer; direct energy deposition uses focused energy sources like lasers to melt material as it is deposited; and laser sintering also melts powdered material but relies on a laser to fuse the particles without the use of a binding agent. Each of these techniques serves different purposes and operates on varying principles, making binder jetting unique in its approach to additive manufacturing.