| Manufacturing Improvement | Key Enabling Capabilities |
| Industrial Efficiency | ² Reduce material inputs for leaner manufacturing ² Multi-material capability; ability to print complete systems or subsystems ² Simplify production process, reducing costs |
| Mass Customization and On-demand Manufacturing | ² Customization to consumer requirements at low cost ² Low cost of increased complexity |
| Decentralized Manufacturing | ² Manufacturing is moving closer to the consumers ² Manufacturing at point of use ² Consumers print their own spare parts for fixing their personal item |
| Small Volume Manufacturing | ² Small batches can be produced cost-efficiently ² Eliminate the investment in tooling |
| Rapid Prototyping | ² Reduce time-to-market by accelerating prototyping ² Reduce the cost involved in product development ² Making companies more efficient and competitive at innovation |
| Machine Tool Manufacturing | ² Reduce labor cost ² Avoid costly warehousing ² Enables mass customization at low cost |
| Impact on Environment | ² Improve sustainability ² Less negative impact on environment |
| Quality Improvement | ² Simplify production processes, reducing costs ² Shorter manufacturing lead time ² Lower risk by providing a contingency plan ² Quick reaction to change in demand ² Better management of demand uncertainty ² Improve process flexibility |