Which term describes building an object one layer at a time?

The term that best describes building an object one layer at a time is additive manufacturing. This process involves adding material in successive layers to create a final product, rather than removing material as in traditional subtractive manufacturing methods. Additive manufacturing is commonly associated with 3D printing, where digital models are translated into three-dimensional objects by laying down material layer by layer.

This method offers significant advantages, including the ability to create complex geometries and reduce material waste, as it only uses the material necessary for the final design. This contrasts with shaping, finishing, or wasting processes—where shaping involves altering the form of materials, finishing refers to processes aimed at improving surface quality, and wasting involves removing material to achieve the desired shape. Each of these other terms represents different manufacturing techniques that do not focus on layer-by-layer construction.