Food Layered Manufacture: A new process for constructing solid foods

TL;DR: Additive manufacturing is a digitally-controlled, robotic construction process which builds up complex solid forms layer by layer, applying phase transitions or chemical reactions to fuse layers together as discussed by the authors.However, the construction of predictable structures by FLM requires a first-principles, materials science approach to formulation design.

Abstract: Additive Manufacturing is a digitally-controlled, robotic construction process which builds up complex solid forms layer by layer, applying phase transitions or chemical reactions to fuse layers together. Examples that utilise food materials (Food Layered Manufacture; FLM) are emerging in the public domain. FLM structuring operations are limited to metering, mixing, deposition and fusion; while materials used in FLM fabrication must have highly-standardised flow and setting properties. Therefore the construction of predictable structures by FLM requires a first-principles, materials science approach to formulation design. FLM is most suited to niche food applications having a strong emphasis on individualised food design or customised manufacturing.