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2023 Additive Manufacturing Industry Report

The 2023 edition of SME’s Additive Manufacturing Industry Report explores the future of AM as the industry transitions to mainstream production applications. In addition to insights from dozens of industry experts and leaders, this year’s report includes the results of SME’s first-ever cross-sector industry survey and forecasts from top analysts. Read on to learn more about the latest advances, opportunities and trends.
igus makes intelligent bearings with a layer of self-lubricating plastic over a layer of an electrically conductive plastic. A controller continuously measures the electrical resistance as the top layer wears away. A completed circuit indicates the bearing is broken.

AM Applications Explode with Multimaterial Printing

June 7, 2023
Optimizing performance by teaming different materials.
Ilene Wolff
By Ilene Wolff Contributing Editor, SME Media
Imagine trying to design and then manufacture a manifold able to squeeze into these tight quarters. In this application, A.I. and AM reduced the effort from weeks to a few hours.

AM, Meet A.I.

June 12, 2023
Ready for more disruption in a rapidly changing manufacturing industry? Why artificial intelligence and machine learning are the next big thing in 3D printing.
Kip Hanson
By Kip Hanson Contributing Editor, SME Media

Overview

  • INDUSTRIES

    China Amplifies Taiwan President’s Opponents

    Michael McConnell April 17, 2026
    China is turning to social media to undermine the independent island’s current ruling party, Reuters said.
  • NEWS DESK

    Schneider Electric Unveils Next-Generation Agentic Manufacturing

    PRESS RELEASE: Schneider Electric April 17, 2026
    Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, will spotlight new milestones in its strategic collaboration with Microsoft at Hannover Messe, demonstrating how their combined technologies are enabling manufacturers to modernize operations, accelerate engineering, and strengthen resiliency.
  • MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

    The Hidden Friction in Automation Integration

    Meaghan Ziemba, Contributing Editor April 16, 2026
    Manufacturers continue to invest in shop-floor automation, but the hardest part of the work rarely starts with choosing a robot, selecting end-of-arm tooling or approving a software platform. Trouble starts when a concept that makes perfect sense in planning is forced to live inside a real factory, where aging equipment, inconsistent inputs, disconnected data, undocumented workarounds and relentless production pressure all shape the outcome. Automation often enters a facility as the answer to a problem, yet implementation has a way of exposing everything that slowed down operations for years.

Outlook

  • INDUSTRIES

    China Amplifies Taiwan President’s Opponents

    Michael McConnell April 17, 2026
    China is turning to social media to undermine the independent island’s current ruling party, Reuters said.
  • NEWS DESK

    Schneider Electric Unveils Next-Generation Agentic Manufacturing

    PRESS RELEASE: Schneider Electric April 17, 2026
    Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, will spotlight new milestones in its strategic collaboration with Microsoft at Hannover Messe, demonstrating how their combined technologies are enabling manufacturers to modernize operations, accelerate engineering, and strengthen resiliency.
  • MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

    The Hidden Friction in Automation Integration

    Meaghan Ziemba, Contributing Editor April 16, 2026
    Manufacturers continue to invest in shop-floor automation, but the hardest part of the work rarely starts with choosing a robot, selecting end-of-arm tooling or approving a software platform. Trouble starts when a concept that makes perfect sense in planning is forced to live inside a real factory, where aging equipment, inconsistent inputs, disconnected data, undocumented workarounds and relentless production pressure all shape the outcome. Automation often enters a facility as the answer to a problem, yet implementation has a way of exposing everything that slowed down operations for years.

Techview

  • INDUSTRIES

    China Amplifies Taiwan President’s Opponents

    Michael McConnell April 17, 2026
    China is turning to social media to undermine the independent island’s current ruling party, Reuters said.
  • NEWS DESK

    Schneider Electric Unveils Next-Generation Agentic Manufacturing

    PRESS RELEASE: Schneider Electric April 17, 2026
    Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, will spotlight new milestones in its strategic collaboration with Microsoft at Hannover Messe, demonstrating how their combined technologies are enabling manufacturers to modernize operations, accelerate engineering, and strengthen resiliency.
  • MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

    The Hidden Friction in Automation Integration

    Meaghan Ziemba, Contributing Editor April 16, 2026
    Manufacturers continue to invest in shop-floor automation, but the hardest part of the work rarely starts with choosing a robot, selecting end-of-arm tooling or approving a software platform. Trouble starts when a concept that makes perfect sense in planning is forced to live inside a real factory, where aging equipment, inconsistent inputs, disconnected data, undocumented workarounds and relentless production pressure all shape the outcome. Automation often enters a facility as the answer to a problem, yet implementation has a way of exposing everything that slowed down operations for years.