For years, 3D printing—officially known as additive manufacturing (AM)—was relegated to the world of prototyping. It was fast, flexible, and ideal for design iteration, but when it came to full-scale production, it simply wasn’t part of the conversation.
That’s no longer the case.
According to Jabil’s 2023 industry survey of 200 senior decision-makers, 67% of companies now use AM to produce functional, end-use parts. What was once a tool for validation is now a manufacturing asset. From lightweight aerospace brackets and internal automotive fixtures to short-run consumer products and complex industrial tooling, AM is proving its value across the production spectrum.
Why Is This Happening Now?
A convergence of factors is accelerating AM’s transition from the lab to the production line:
- Advanced materials: Certified polymers, metals, and composites now meet industry standards for durability, heat resistance, and regulatory compliance.
- Improved machine reliability: Industrial AM platforms are faster, more accurate, and better able to maintain quality across multiple runs.
- Smarter post-processing: New methods for support removal, surface finishing, and dimensional validation are making AM more production-ready.
- Digital integration: Design workflows and manufacturing execution systems (MES) are increasingly compatible with additive processes.
Together, these advances allow manufacturers to:
- Launch products faster using bridge manufacturing, avoiding delays from traditional tooling.
- Print custom jigs, fixtures, and tools on demand to support lean operations.
- Produce low- to mid-volume runs of final-use components without high setup costs.
- Consolidate multi-part assemblies into single, functionally optimized geometries.
These aren’t fringe cases—they’re becoming standard practice in industries like aerospace, automotive, medical, electronics, and heavy equipment manufacturing.
Challenges Still Remain
Despite the momentum, scaling AM into full production still comes with hurdles. Among the most pressing:
- Material access: 90% of companies say the materials they need aren’t readily available in a certified or printable format.
- Cost pressures: Material pricing and post-processing labor continue to limit ROI in high-volume production scenarios.
- Workforce gaps: Many engineers and technicians lack training in Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM), thermal modeling, and part validation.
- System integration: Only 42% of firms can fully connect their AM workflows to their existing ERP or MES platforms—slowing traceability and automation.
Yet even with these challenges, the trend is unmistakable. Seventy percent of surveyed firms expect to grow their AM operations over the next five years—not out of curiosity, but out of necessity.
Meet RapidMade: Your AM Production Partner
For companies serious about scaling AM beyond prototyping, it takes more than hardware. It takes strategy, expertise, and a partner who understands what production really requires.
That’s where RapidMade comes in.
RapidMade is a full-service additive manufacturing solutions provider based in the U.S. They specialize in helping businesses move from concept to certified production with speed and precision. Their capabilities include:
- Design optimization and DfAM consulting to reduce costs and improve performance.
- Certified materials—including aerospace-grade metals, medical polymers, and industrial composites.
- Post-processing and inspection services that meet ISO 9001 standards.
- Scalable production platforms that support everything from 10 prototypes to 50,000 production units.
Whether you’re producing jigs and fixtures, tooling inserts, or final-use parts, RapidMade delivers the consistency, quality, and agility needed to bring additive into your core operations.
Ready to take 3D printing from prototype to production?
Partner with a 3D printing service that’s built to scale.
Visit RapidMade.com or email info@rapidmade.com to get started.