Abstract: This relates to an additive manufacturing method for producing a three-dimensional component made of glass, the method including the steps of: feeding continuously a glass filament having a flame retardant or self-extinguishing protective film applied to the surface thereof, from a filament feeding nozzle to a heating source for removing the flame retardant or self-extinguishing protective film and softening the glass fiber, applying the softened glass filament to a surface of a substrate or object, wherein the flame retardant or self-extinguishing protective film is made of polyimide-based material having a thickness in the range of 1 ?m to 50 ?m, wherein the fed glass filament length is less than 5 millimeters. The invention is also related to a glass filament and the use of the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an additive manufacturing method and apparatus for forming a three-dimensional component/object of glass including the steps of: feeding a glass filament material in an essentially horizontal direction towards a stage, heating the glass filament material such that the glass fiber material becomes or remains molten/softened; and depositing the molten/softened glass material onto a surface of the stage or object, in which the molten/softened glass material is forming the three-dimensional component/object of glass; wherein during at least part of the depositing the three-dimensional component of glass being formed rests on an essentially vertical stage, the molten/softened glass material is deposited layer-by-layer and one or more computers control wherein each layer the molten/softened glass material is deposited, by controlling a set of actuators that actuate movement of the glass filament and/or the stage.