Opportunities and Limitations of Additive Manufacturing

This chapter explores the broad capabilities and inherent constraints of additive manufacturing (AM), examining its evolution from prototyping to a production-ready technology. The discussion spans technical, material, and economic aspects across industrial applications. Challenges such as material limitations, process repeatability, post-processing needs, and scalability are weighed against the benefits of design flexibility, customization, and reduced lead time. The chapter offers critical insight into AM’s interdisciplinary impact and future directions.

In Springer Handbook of Additive Manufacturing, pp. 125–143