Top Manufacturing Trends | IBM

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a rapidly growing technology that has changed the way companies design, prototype and manufacture products. In smart factories, 3D printing is a popular tool for producing complex parts and components quickly and precisely.

Traditional manufacturing processes, like injection molding, can be limited by the complexity of a prototype’s part geometry, and they may require multiple steps and operations to produce. With 3D printing, manufacturers can produce complex geometries in a single step, reducing manufacturing time and costs.

Additive manufacturing is particularly useful in industries such as aerospace, automotive and healthcare, where complex parts and components are required. This technology also enables manufacturers to produce spare parts on-demand, reducing the need for large inventories and improving supply chain efficiency.