Which term describes the process of manufacturing products layer by layer in AM?

The term that accurately describes the process of manufacturing products layer by layer in additive manufacturing (AM) is "additive process." This term captures the essence of additive manufacturing, which involves creating a product by successively adding material, typically in layers, to form the final shape. This contrasts with other manufacturing methods that might remove material from a larger block (such as subtractive manufacturing) or combine different materials or components without the specific layer-by-layer approach that characterizes additive processes.

In additive manufacturing, materials like plastics, metals, or bio-materials are used, and the designs are often generated using computer-aided design (CAD) software. The layer-by-layer technique allows for greater design flexibility, reduced waste, and the ability to create complex geometries that would be difficult or impossible to achieve through traditional manufacturing means.

This layered approach is fundamental to what distinguishes additive manufacturing from other manufacturing processes, which is why "additive process" is the correct choice in this context.