Abstract
This chapter traces the evolution of additive manufacturing (AM) from a rapid prototyping technique to a disruptive technology that impacts various industries. It reviews the latest research and expert opinions on the effects of AM on industrial, societal, and environmental aspects. It also explores 4D printing (4DP), a novel branch of AM that creates dynamic and adaptive objects, and discusses its challenges and opportunities. It also considers the conjunction of AM with other emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, and blockchain, and how they shape the future of smart products and services. This chapter offers valuable insights into the development of AM, its transformative potential, and its crucial role in shaping the industries of tomorrow.
TopIntroduction
Additive manufacturing (AM), also recognized as 3D printing (3DP), has emerged as a powerful technology that has transformed various industries and sectors. AM originated in the 1980s as a method for rapid prototyping, but it has evolved into a versatile technology that can create functional and complex products from different materials and functionalities. This book chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution, impact, challenges, and prospects of AM, focusing on its multifaceted influence on industries, society, and the environment.
The inspiration for this study stems from the pivotal role that AM plays in contemporary manufacturing and its potential to mould the industrial horizon. As AM continues to redefine the possibilities of product design and production, it is essential to understand its history, applications, and implications. Moreover, the rapid growth and diversification of AM technologies, such as 4DP, require an in-depth investigation into their opportunities and risks. The problem statement for this study revolves around the imperative to comprehensively appraise the progress of AM, its power to innovate, and its essential role in remodelling domains, society, and the environment.
The contribution and significance of this study are four-fold. First, this is the foremost study that examines the journey of AM from its inception as a prototyping tool to its current status as a transformative force in multiple industries. Second, this chapter explores the emerging field of 4DP, an extension of 3DP that introduces time as a dimension and allows objects to change shape in response to external stimuli. The study examines the potential applications, challenges, and opportunities associated with 4DP, shedding light on its importance in the realm of smart materials and structures. Third, as AM increasingly integrates with other developing technologies, it points to a future where smart products and services interact in real time with users and the environment.
Fourth, the study investigates how AM influences the manufacturing, designing, and usage of products and services, emphasizing its role in stimulating creativity, reducing waste, enhancing customization, and allowing on-demand manufacturing.
This chapter employs a comprehensive approach that integrates a literature review and data analysis to explore AM and 4DP. It utilizes qualitative and quantitative data sources for a well-rounded perspective. The Figure 1 depicts the methodology followed in this book chapter.
In this chapter, we review the literature on additive manufacturing (AM) and its applications in various domains such as aerospace, fashion, robotics, etc. The results are summarized in Table 1.
Table 1. Number of research papers on additive manufacturing in different domains
| Domain | Number of Research Papers | Authors |
| Aerospace | 2 papers |
McLellan et al., 2022; Zolfagharian et al., 2023 |
| Automotive | 3 papers |
Khalid et al., 2022; McLellan et al., 2022; Champeau et al., 2023 |
| Biomedical | 5 papers |
Khalid et al., 2022; McLellan et al., 2022; Zolfagharian et al., 2019; Marr, 2023; Zolfagharian et al., 2023 |
| Construction | 3 papers |
Khalid et al., 2022; Champeau et al., 2020; Marr, 2023 |
| Fashion | 1 paper |
McLellan et al., 2022
|
| Electronics | 2 papers |
Khalid et al., 2022; Zolfagharian et al., 2023 |
| Robotics | 3 papers |
Khalid et al., 2022; Zolfagharian et al., 2019; Zolfagharian et al., 2023 |
| Food | 1 paper |
Khalid et al., 2022
|
| Art | 2 papers |
Marr, 2020; Marr, 2023 |
Key Terms in this Chapter
Challenges in Additive Manufacturing: Challenges in AM include issues such as intellectual property rights, safety considerations, and disruptions to established industries as the technology develops and expands its applications.
Efficiency and Sustainability: Efficiency and sustainability in the background of AM are the profits of reduced material waste, power consumption, and lead times, as well as the positive environmental impact achieved through this manufacturing process.
Personalization and Customization: Personalization and customization in AM are the capabilities to create tailored and unique products or components that meet individual or specific customer needs.
Rapid Manufacturing: Rapid manufacturing is the advancement of AM technology for the fabrication of final, functional components or products, beyond the prototyping stage, using various materials.
Additive Manufacturing (AM): Additive manufacturing is a procedure that creates three-dimensional objects by depositing material in layers following a digital design.
Rapid Prototyping: Rapid prototyping is the first application of AM technology to quickly produce physical prototypes from digital designs, enabling iterative product development.
Industry 5.0: It is the next stage of industrial development, focusing on personalized, collaborative, adaptive, and responsible production, often facilitated by progressive disruptive knowledge such as AM.