This is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.
Tunji John ERINLE,
Daniel Chukunebikpe UGURU-OKORIE,
Abiodun Michael ADEBIMPE,
Adeolu Adesoji ADEDIRAN,
Tolulope Tunji OLADIMEJI,
Lukeman Sunday LAWAL,
Ayodeji Babatunde FALANA,
- PhD Research Student, Department of Mechatronics Engineering, School of Industrial Engineering Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
- Associate Professor, Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
- Research Associate, Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
- Associate Professor, Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
- Research Associate, Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, School of Industrial Engineering Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
- Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Highstone Global University, Texas, USA
- Master’s Student, Department of Mechatronics Engineering, School of Industrial Engineering Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) or Additive Manufacturing has made remarkable progress from rapid
prototyping to large-scale production. Several industries like aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and
electronics utilise AM technology for product personalisation, minimising waste material, reducing the
cycle time of product design, and designing complex shapes that are difficult to manufacture using
traditional techniques like subtractive manufacturing. This paper evaluates the evolution of 3D printing
technology from prototyping to industrial production. In addition, the paper reviews different AM
technologies, industrial applications, advancements in materials, optimisation approaches, economics
of AM, sustainability issues, research prospects, and potential challenges associated with scaling up
AM processes from prototyping to industrial applications. A literature review for the study has been
done using articles found in databases. The review also examines recent developments in additive
manufacturing processes, including improvements in printing accuracy, material innovation, process
automation, and the integration of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and Industry 4.0
concepts. Furthermore, the study highlights the role of additive manufacturing in enhancing production
flexibility, reducing manufacturing lead time, and supporting sustainable manufacturing practices
through efficient material utilisation and reduced environmental impact. It also discusses the
opportunities and limitations associated with the adoption of AM in industrial environments, with
particular emphasis on quality assurance, standardisation, certification, and cost-effectiveness. From the
findings of the literature review, one can deduce that although 3D printing has gained considerable
acceptance within the industry, more work is required in other fields such as materials science,
automation, and artificial intelligence to ensure mass production. Future advancements in process
optimisation, smart manufacturing systems, and advanced material development are expected to further
strengthen the industrial adoption of additive manufacturing and enable its wider application in next-
generation manufacturing systems.
Keywords: 3D printing, Aerospace manufacturing, Automotive manufacturing, Biomedical engineering, Electronics manufacturing, Rapid prototyping
References
1. 3D Printing Industry. ASTM’s AM CoE unveils its latest cross-industry AM certification
program. 2025.
2. 3D Printing Industry. Confidence returns to additive manufacturing as executives signal an
improving outlook for 2026. 2026.
3. 3D Systems. SLS 3D printing with Alfa Romeo Racing. 2026.
4. 3Dnatives. Wohlers Report 2026: Growth continues, but caution defines the AM market. 2026.
5. Adam HM. Emerging advantages and transformative applications of nanocomposites in additive
manufacturing: a literature review. Next Res. 2025;4:101155.
doi:10.1016/j.nexres.2025.101155.
6. Aftab M, Ikram S, Ullah M, Wahab A, Naeem M. Three-dimensional (3D) printing scaffold-
based drug delivery for tissue regeneration. J Manuf Mater Process. 2026;10(1):9.
doi:10.3390/jmmp10010009.
7. Ali M, Sajjad U, Ali A, Ali HM, Hamid K. Metallic nanoparticles-based additive
manufacturing: a review of recent advances on progress, prospects, and challenges. Mater Des.
2025;257:114464. doi:10.1016/j.matdes.2025.114464.
8. Aqlan F, Marr de Vries C, Sargent M, Valentin A. Using 3D printing to teach design and
manufacturing concepts. In: Proceedings of the 2020 IISE Annual Conference; 2020.
9. ASTM International. ASTM Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence OEM-led additive
manufacturing supplier certification program. 2025.
10. DebRoy T, Wei HL, Zuback JS, Mukherjee T, Elmer JW, Milewski JO, et al. Additive
manufacturing of metallic components: process, structure and properties. Prog Mater Sci.
2021;122:100798.
11. Diamond Publications. Volumetric additive manufacturing of multifunctional polymer
composites: a review of recent advances and future directions. 2026.
12. European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Certification memoranda and additive manufacturing
guidance. Cologne: European Union Aviation Safety Agency; 2024.
13. European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Certification memorandum CM-S-008: Additive
manufacturing. Issue 04. Cologne: European Union Aviation Safety Agency; 2025.
14. Federal Aviation Administration. Additive Manufacturing Strategic Roadmap. Washington
(DC): Federal Aviation Administration; 2024.
15. Fidan I, Alshaikh Ali M, Naikwadi V, Gudavasov S, Mahmudov M, Mohammadizadeh M, et al.
Nano-level additive manufacturing: condensed review of processes, materials, and industrial
applications. Technologies. 2024;12(7):117. doi:10.3390/technologies12070117.
16. Ford S, Despeisse M. Additive manufacturing and sustainability: an exploratory study of the
advantages and challenges. J Clean Prod. 2020;137:1573-1587.
17. Freitas B, Richhariya V, Rodrigues da Silva M, Vaz A, Lopes SF, Carvalho O. A review of
hybrid manufacturing: integrating subtractive and additive manufacturing. Materials (Basel).
2025;18(18):4249. doi:10.3390/ma18184249.
18. Gibson I, Rosen DW, Stucker B, Khorasani M. Additive manufacturing technologies. 3rd ed.
Cham: Springer; 2021.
19. Gloria. What is multi-jet fusion? LSRPF. 2025.
20. Stringer J, LeGoff E, Kowalski A, et al. Integration of additive manufacturing and inkjet printed
electronics: a potential route to parts with embedded multifunctionality. Manuf Rev. 2016;3:11.
doi:10.1051/mfreview/2016011.
21. Gu D, Shi X, Poprawe R, Bourell D, Setchi R, Zhu J. Material-structure-performance integrated
laser-metal additive manufacturing. Science. 2021;372(6545):eabg1487.
22. Guduru KK, Srinivasu GS. Effect of post treatment on tensile properties of carbon reinforced
PLA composite by 3D printing. Mater Today Proc. 2020;33(Pt 8):5403-5407.
doi:10.1016/j.matpr.2020.03.128.
23. Haleem A, Javaid M. Additive manufacturing applications in medical cases: a literature-based
review. Alexandria J Med. 2021;57(1):412-422.
24. Secor EB, Yeboah D, Gamba L. Additive electronics manufacturing via droplet jetting
technologies: materials, methods, applications, and opportunities. Nanoscale. 2025;17:18997-
19020. doi:10.1039/D5NR02110C.
25. Huang G, Wu L, Hu J, Zhou X, He F, Wan L, et al. Main applications and recent research
progresses of additive manufacturing in dentistry. Biomed Res Int. 2022;2022:5530188.
doi:10.1155/2022/5530188.
26. IPC. IPC standards for electronics manufacturing. Bannockburn (IL): IPC; 2023.
27. International Organization for Standardization. IATF 16949:2016. Quality management system
requirements for automotive production and relevant service parts organizations. Geneva: ISO;
2016.
28. International Organization for Standardization. ISO 13485:2016. Medical devices—Quality
management systems: Requirements for regulatory purposes. Geneva: ISO; 2016.
29. International Organization for Standardization. ISO 9001:2015. Quality management systems:
Requirements. Geneva: ISO; 2022.
30. Javaid M, Haleem A. Current status and applications of additive manufacturing in dentistry. J
Oral Biol Craniofac Res. 2020;10(4):680-684. doi:10.1016/j.jobcr.2020.09.006.
31. Javed A, Khan AM, Zhao G, Jamil M, Schoop J, Wang C, et al. The defect-postprocessing-
lifecycle nexus: A critical review of interdependencies in metal additive-subtractive
manufacturing. Int J Adv Manuf Technol. 2025;141(1-2):31-76. doi:10.1007/s00170-025-
16600-w.
32. Kapoor DU, Pareek A, Uniyal P, Prajapati BG, Thanawuth K, Sriamornsak P. Innovative
applications of 3D printing in personalized medicine and complex drug delivery systems.
iScience. 2025;28(10):113505. doi:10.1016/j.isci.2025.113505.
33. Kumar LJ, Krishnadas-Nair CG. Current trends of additive manufacturing in the aerospace
industry. Mater Today Proc. 2022;50:180-186.
34. Ngo TD, Kashani A, Imbalzano G, Nguyen KT, Hui D. Additive manufacturing (3D printing):
A review of materials, methods, applications and challenges. Compos B Eng. 2018;143:172-
196. doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.02.012.
35. Thompson MK, Moroni G, Vaneker T, Fadel G, Campbell RI, Gibson I, et al. Design for
additive manufacturing: Trends, opportunities, considerations, and constraints. CIRP Ann.
2016;65(2):737-760. doi:10.1016/j.cirp.2016.05.004.
36. Gibson I, Rosen DW, Stucker B, Khorasani M. Additive manufacturing technologies. 3rd ed.
Cham: Springer; 2021.
37. McMahon M. Metal AM in the aerospace sector: From early successes to the transformation of
an industry. Metal Add Manuf. 2023;9(3).
38. Metal Additive Manufacturing Magazine. GE Aviation adds five M Line metal AM machines.
2022.
39. Mohamed OA. Analytical modeling and experimental investigation of product quality and
mechanical properties in FDM additive manufacturing [dissertation]. 2019.
40. Momeni F, Hassani SM, Liu X, Ni J. A review of 4D printing. Mater Des. 2017;122:42-79.
doi:10.1016/j.matdes.2017.02.068.
41. Narasimharaju SR, El Hassanin A, Scherillo F, Squillace A, Viscusi A, Cholkar A, et al. Post-
processing techniques for metal additively manufactured thin-walled structures. In: Brabazon D,
editor. Additive Manufacturing of Thin-Walled Structures. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2026.
42. Ngo TD, Kashani A, Imbalzano G, Nguyen KT, Hui D. Additive manufacturing technologies
and applications: A review. Compos B Eng. 2020;143:172-196.
43. Park SH, Suh J, Lee JH. Artificial intelligence-assisted additive manufacturing for smart
factories. Addit Manuf. 2023;68:103467.
44. Paxton NC, Zhao J, Sauret E. Polymer 3D printing in perspective: Assessing challenges and
opportunities in industrial translation against the metal benchmark. Int J Adv Manuf Technol.
2024;133(1-2):59-80. doi:10.1007/s00170-024-14345-8.
45. Popescu C, Dissanayake H, Mansi E, Stancu A. Eco breakthroughs: Sustainable materials
transforming the future of our planet. Sustainability. 2024;16(23):10790.
doi:10.3390/su162310790.
46. Prashar G, Vasudev H, Bhuddhi D. Additive manufacturing: Expanding 3D printing horizon in
Industry 4.0. Int J Interact Des Manuf. 2023;17(5):2221-2235. doi:10.1007/s12008-022-00956-
4.
47. Qiu J, Yu R, Du X, Zhou T, Chen Y, Sun J, et al. Liquid metal gel ink with self-activating
conductivity for 3D printing of multifunctional electronics. Small. 2025;21(29):e2502722.
doi:10.1002/smll.202502722.
48. Ladd C, So JH, Muth J, Dickey MD. 3D printing of free standing liquid metal microstructures.
Adv Mater. 2013;25(36):5081-5085. doi:10.1002/adma.201301400.
49. Momeni F, Hassani SM, Liu X, Ni J. A review of 4D printing. Mater Des. 2017;122:42-79.
doi:10.1016/j.matdes.2017.02.068.
50. Singh S, Ramakrishna S, Singh R. Material issues in additive manufacturing: A review. J Manuf
Process. 2021;25:185-200.
51. SAE International. AS9100D: Quality management systems for aviation, space and defense
organizations. Warrendale (PA): SAE International; 2022.
52. Thomas C, Sakhaei AH. Additive manufacturing of continuous fibre reinforced composites:
Process, characterisation, modelling, and sustainability. Adv Eng Mater.
2026;28(13):e202503048. doi:10.1002/adem.202503048.
53. Thompson MK, Moroni G, Vaneker T, Fadel G, Campbell RI, Gibson I, et al. Design for
additive manufacturing: Trends, opportunities, considerations, and constraints. CIRP Ann.
2016;65(2):737-760. doi:10.1016/j.cirp.2016.05.004.
54. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Premarket notification 510(k). Silver Spring (MD): U.S.
Food and Drug Administration; 2024.
55. Zhu Z, Dhokia V, Nassehi A, Newman ST. A review of hybrid manufacturing processes. Int J
Comput Integr Manuf. 2013;26(7):596-615. doi:10.1080/0951192X.2012.749530.
56. Wang X, Liu J. Recent advancements in liquid metal flexible printed electronics: Properties,
technologies, and applications. Micromachines. 2016;7(12):206. doi:10.3390/mi7120206.
57. Wohlers Associates. Wohlers report 2026. Fort Collins (CO): Wohlers Associates; 2026.
58. Wohlers T, Campbell I. Wohlers Report 2024: Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing State of
the Industry. Fort Collins (CO): Wohlers Associates; 2024.
59. Yan Q, Dong H, Su J, Han J, Song B, Wei Q, et al. A review of 3D printing technology for
medical applications. Engineering. 2018;4(5):729-742. doi:10.1016/j.eng.2018.07.021.
60. Yeshiwas TA, Tiruneh AB, Sisay MA. A review article on the assessment of additive
manufacturing. J Mater Sci Mater Eng. 2025;19(1). doi:10.1186/s40712-025-00235-2.
61. Zhang Q, Li W, Yang J. Application prospect analysis of 3D printing technology in industrial
manufacturing. Int J Comput Sci Inf Technol. 2024;2:1-6. doi:10.62051/ijcsit.v2n2.01.
62. Zhang Y, Jarosinski W, Jung YG, Zhang J, Prabhakar P. Additive manufacturing processes and
equipment for aerospace applications. Adv Eng Mater. 2022;24(5):2101473.
63. Zhu Z, Dhokia V, Nassehi A, Newman ST. A review of hybrid manufacturing processes. Int J
Comput Integr Manuf. 2013;26(7):596-615. doi:10.1080/0951192X.2012.749530.
64. Gibson I, Khorasani M, Rosen DW, Stucker B. Additive manufacturing technologies. 4th ed.
Cham: Springer; 2025.
65. Javaid M, Haleem A. Additive manufacturing applications for Industry 4.0: A review. Cogn
Robot. 2023;3:1-18. doi:10.1016/j.cogr.2023.01.001.
| Volume | 04 | |
| 02 | ||
| Received | 30/06/2026 | |
| Accepted | 30/07/2026 | |
| Published | 19/08/2026 | |
| Publication Time | 50 Days |