| Manufacturing Improvements | Key Enabling Capabilities |
| Industrial Efficiency | ・ Reduce material inputs for leaner manufacturing ・ Multi-material capability: ability to print complete systems or subsystems ・ Simplify production processes, reducing costs |
| Mass Customization and On-Demand Manufacturing | ・ Customization to consumer requirements at low cost ・ Low cost of increased complexity |
| Decentralized Manufacturing | ・ Manufacturing is moving closer to the consumers ・ Manufacturing at point of use ・ Consumers print their own spare parts for fixing their personal items |
| Small Volume Manufacturing | ・ Small batches can be produced cost-efficiently ・ Eliminate the investment in tooling |
| Rapid Prototyping | ・ Reduce time-to-market by accelerating prototyping ・ Reduce the cost involved in product development ・ Making companies more efficient and competitive at innovation |
| Machine Tool Manufacturing | ・ Reduce labor cost ・ Avoid costly warehousing ・ Enables mass customization at low cost |
| Impact on Environment | ・ Improve sustainability ・ Less negative impact on environment |
| Quality Improvement | ・ Simplify production processes, reducing costs ・ Shorter manufacturing lead time ・ Lower risk by providing a contingency plan ・ Quick reaction to change in demand ・ Better management of demand uncertainty ・ Improve process flexibility |