The Top Journals for Staying Current in Additive Manufacturing Research

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is revolutionizing production across industries from aerospace to medical devices. As the technology rapidly advances, it’s important for engineers, researchers and other professionals to stay up-to-date on the latest developments. Academic journals are a key source for cutting-edge research and insights into where additive manufacturing is headed. Here are some of the top peer-reviewed journals that publish high-quality papers on additive manufacturing.

Additive Manufacturing

Published by Elsevier, Additive Manufacturing is one of the leading journals solely focused on additive manufacturing and 3D printing technologies. The journal has a five-year impact factor of 10.867, indicating it is highly influential in the field. Additive Manufacturing provides peer-reviewed research on the latest materials, processes, rapid prototyping technologies and applications across industries. Key topics covered include powder bed fusion, directed energy deposition, sheet lamination, material extrusion, photopolymerization, metal additive manufacturing, polymers, ceramics, biomaterials and more. Engineers, researchers and practitioners publish applied research as well as reviews and case studies. Additive Manufacturing also covers important subjects like design for additive manufacturing, modeling and simulation, quality control, supply chain and regulatory issues.

3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing

3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing from Mary Ann Liebert publishers is another leading journal dedicated to additive manufacturing and 3D printing. The peer-reviewed journal covers the latest developments in technologies, processes, and applications of 3D printing and additive fabrication. Key topics include rapid prototyping, direct digital manufacturing, layered manufacturing, additive manufacturing equipment, computer-aided design, and materials science. In addition to original research, the journal publishes editorials, reviews and short technical communications. 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing maintains a three-year impact factor of 5.800 as a rapidly growing journal. The journal is essential reading for engineers, designers, researchers and professionals across aerospace, automotive, consumer products, medical devices and other industries utilizing additive manufacturing.

Rapid Prototyping Journal

Published by Emerald Publishing, Rapid Prototyping Journal focuses on the latest advances in technologies for rapid prototyping, tooling and direct digital manufacturing. It covers key aspects of additive manufacturing including 3D printing, stereolithography, selective laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, laminated object manufacturing and more. The peer-reviewed journal publishes original research and case studies on rapidly developing new technologies and processes for product development. Topics span rapid tooling, rapid manufacturing, computer-aided design, reverse engineering, materials development and more. Rapid Prototyping Journal maintains a five-year impact factor of 5.623, making it one of the most influential journals in its field.

Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing

The Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing from MDPI publishes original research on applied and fundamental aspects of manufacturing processes and materials. A key focus area is additive manufacturing, with regular papers on the latest developments in 3D printing, rapid prototyping, direct digital manufacturing and related technologies. Peer-reviewed research covers new materials and processes for additive manufacturing, modeling and simulation, testing methods and microstructural characterization. Application areas include aerospace, automotive, biomedical and electronics. The open access journal has a two-year impact factor of 2.749 and gives professionals timely access to additive manufacturing research.

International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology

The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology from Springer covers a wide range of manufacturing technologies, including additive manufacturing. Key topics include rapid prototyping, 3D printing processes, CAD/CAM, robotics, metrology, nanomanufacturing, modeling and simulation, artificial intelligence, smart factories and more. While not exclusively on additive manufacturing, the leading journal regularly publishes high-quality peer-reviewed papers on the latest developments in 3D printing technologies, materials, design and applications across industries. With a five-year impact factor of 4.847, this journal is essential reading for manufacturing engineers, researchers and professionals utilizing additive manufacturing.

Additive Manufacturing Letters

A newer open access journal from Tech Science Press, Additive Manufacturing Letters publishes original research on 3D printing technologies. Launched in 2021, the journal covers key aspects of additive manufacturing including processes, equipment, materials, design, simulation and applications. Additive Manufacturing Letters focuses on publishing short, high-quality peer-reviewed research letters that allow rapid dissemination of new developments in the field. Key topics include metal additive manufacturing, polymers, ceramics, composites, bioprinting, CAD, quality control, supply chain and more. The open access format gives wider access to the latest additive manufacturing research.

Applied Sciences

Published by MDPI, Applied Sciences is a leading multidisciplinary open access journal covering materials science, engineering and related fields. A section of the journal is dedicated to additive manufacturing research, with regular papers on the latest developments in 3D printing technologies and applications. Peer-reviewed articles cover topics like fused deposition modeling, selective laser melting and sintering, powder bed fusion, stereolithography, process parameter optimization, materials development, modeling and simulation, design for additive manufacturing and more. Application areas span aerospace, automotive, biomedical devices and beyond. With a two-year impact factor of 2.679, Applied Sciences delivers timely access to quality additive manufacturing research.

Journal of 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing

The Journal of 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing from Tech Science Press publishes original peer-reviewed research on 3D printing technologies and applications. Content spans key processes like fused deposition modeling, powder bed fusion, material extrusion, vat photopolymerization, sheet lamination, binder jetting and direct energy deposition. Application areas include aerospace, automotive, biomedical, consumer products, electronics and industrial machines. The journal covers fundamental and applied research on materials, design, modeling, testing, quality control, supply chain, sustainability and regulatory issues related to additive manufacturing. Launched in 2020, the open access journal provides rapid access to the latest developments in 3D printing.

3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing

Published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing features peer-reviewed research on applied and fundamental aspects of additive manufacturing technologies. Original research and review articles cover topics like design for additive manufacturing, modeling and simulation, materials development, testing methods, process control and standardization. Key application areas include aerospace, automotive, biomedical, energy and consumer products. 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing maintains a three-year impact factor of 4.079, reflecting ASME’s influential role in mechanical engineering and manufacturing research.

Additive Manufacturing

Hosted on ScienceDirect, Additive Manufacturing is a section of the journal Materials Today that focuses exclusively on additive manufacturing research. The peer-reviewed section, sponsored by the Photopolymerization and Photocuring Chemistry division of the American Chemical Society, publishes original research and reviews on 3D printing technologies. Content covers the latest material and process developments, characterization methods, modeling techniques, design innovations and industry applications. Key topics include photopolymerization, metal additive manufacturing, ceramics, composites, bioprinting, nanomaterials and more. As part of the influential Materials Today family, Additive Manufacturing delivers high-quality, timely research relevant to chemists, engineers and professionals utilizing 3D printing.

Conclusion

From dedicated journals like Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing to leading multidisciplinary publications like Applied Sciences and International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, professionals have many options to stay current on the latest additive manufacturing research. While this list highlights some of the top peer-reviewed journals, there are many other quality publications providing valuable insights into the rapidly evolving world of 3D printing and additive manufacturing across industries. The key is to find and regularly read journals relevant to your specific interests and industry to ensure you are leveraging the newest knowledge to drive innovation.