Additive manufacturing of near-net-shape bonded magnets: Prospects and challenges

Additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing is well known for producing arbitrary shaped parts without any tooling required, offering a promising alternative to the conventional injection molding method to fabricate near-net-shaped magnets. In this viewpoint, we compare two 3D printing technologies, namely binder jetting and material extrusion, to determine their applicability in the fabrication of Nd-Fe-B bonded magnets. Prospects and challenges of these state-of-the-art technologies for large-scale industrial applications will be discussed.