Impact of additive manufacturing in different areas of Industry 4.0

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies are becoming an essential part of tomorrow's smart factories, where software, technologies, and processes are being integrated to deliver world-class results. AM is to provide extensive inputs to smart manufacturing systems using digital design, and specialised software-based manufacturing technology. AM helps to create product innovation, thereby impacting different areas of Industry 4.0. The purpose of this study is to understand how AM can impact various areas of Industry 4.0. A large number of research papers on additive manufacturing in Industry 4.0 and other related articles in the manufacturing field have been studied to identify its fifteen significant impacts and subsequent research direction. In future, AM will create technological advancement in design, manufacturing and provide a maximum contribution in Industry 4.0 to the self-optimise production system. AM helps to reduce a considerable amount of unused inventory and helps fulfil the customised demand of consumer and market. AM creates any customised prototype for specific users in lesser time. It provides innovative product concepts by assessing market demand and minimise the supply chain cost.