| Industry | Applications | Benefits Gained |
| Aerospace ・ Design and rapid prototyping ・ Component manufacturing ・ Leaner manufacturing ・ Improving process flexibility ・ Decentralized, distributed production networks ・ Mass customization | ・ Light-weighting of aircraft ・ Engine components for the Airbus ・ Flight-certified hardware ・ Airplane landing gear assemblies ・ Manufacturing of satellite components ・ Lockheed Martin is using the technology for the production of aerospace components ・ In-space manufac. on the International Space Station | ・ Allow product lifecycle leverage ・ Objects manufactured in remote locations, as delivery of goods is no longer a restriction ・ A reduction in lead-time would imply a reduction in inventory and a reduction in costs ・ Eliminate excess parts that cause drag and add weight ・ Supply chain disintermediation ・ Reduce labor inputs ・ Reduce required tooling & machining centers ・ Hedge against disruptions |
| Automotive ・ Simplified production processes ・ Component manufacturing ・ Design and rapid prototyping ・ Manufacturing at point of use ・ Leaner manufacturing ・ Decentralized, distributed production networks | ・ Light-weighting of vehicles ・ Cooling system for race cars ・ GM has been using AM to make prototypes for over 20 years ・ BMW is using the technology to print handheld tools ・ Can be used in a back-up capacity ・ Flexible enough to work on short notice and in unanticipated or urgent circumstances | ・ Help eliminate excess parts ・ Speed up time-to-market ・ Reduce the cost involved in product development ・ Simplifying supply chains by reducing the number of assembly steps that a product must undergo ・ Supply chain disintermediation ・ Reduce labor inputs ・ Reduce required tooling & machining centers ・ Could change the way cars will look and function in the future ・ Providing a contingency plan |
| Machine Tool Production ・ Design & rapid prototyping ・ Leaner manufacturing | ・ Lightweight grip system ・ End-of-arm for smarter packaging | ・ Quick production of exact and customized replacement parts on site ・ Allow for designs that are more efficient and lighter ・ Reductions in labor inputs, the required tooling and machining ・ Reduction in required inventory |
| Healthcare and Medical ・ Design and rapid prototyping ・ Manufacturing at point of use ・ Mass customization | ・ Fabricating custom implants, such as hearing aids, and prosthetics ・ Manufacturing human organs ・ Reconstructing bones, body parts ・ Hip joints, robotic hand, and skull implants | ・ Reduce surgery time and cost ・ Reduce the risk of post-operative complications ・ Reduce lead-time ・ Reduce repair cost ・ Improves process flexibility |
| Dentistry and Dental Technology ・ Design and rapid prototyping ・ Manufacturing at point of use ・ Mass customization | ・ Dental Coping ・ Precisely tailored teeth and dental crowns ・ Dental and orthodontic appliances | ・ Great potential in the use of new materials ・ Reduced lead-time ・ Reduce repair cost ・ Improving process flexibility ・ Prosthetics could be fabricated in only a day, sometimes even in a few hours |
| Architectural and Construction ・ Design and rapid prototyping ・ Customization to customer requirement | ・ Generating an exact scale model of the building ・ Printing housing components | ・ Producing scale models up to 60 percent lighter ・ Reduce lead times of production by 50 to 80 percent ・ The ability to review a model saves valuable time and money caused by rework ・ Reduce construction time and manpower ・ Increase customization ・ Reduce construction cost ・ Provide low cost housing to poverty-stricken areas ・ Customer empowerment |