From Prototype to Production—How Additive Manufacturing Is Becoming a Strategic Asset in Industry

Once viewed primarily as a tool for prototyping, additive manufacturing (AM) has reached an inflection point in industrial deployment. Today, AM is not only part of the design lab but also a strategic component of the production floor, the field maintenance toolkit, and the supply chain’s digital backbone.

According to Jabil’s 2023 survey of 200 senior manufacturing leaders, the shift is unmistakable: 67% of organizations now use AM to produce end-use parts. While prototyping remains nearly universal (97% adoption), AM is rapidly evolving into a multi-functional platform embedded across the manufacturing lifecycle.

Beyond the Lab: Functional Integration Across Industry

The 2023 data reveal a robust expansion of AM into high-value operational domains. Bridge production, tooling, jigs, and fixtures all rank highly in application frequency. Notably, 59% of respondents utilize AM to bridge the gap between product validation and full-scale manufacturing—a capability that accelerates time-to-market and mitigates tooling risk.

In addition, 53% of companies report using AM for repair and maintenance, particularly where legacy components are obsolete or geographically hard to access. From aerospace wire brackets to custom-fit orthopedic implants and under-hood automotive parts, AM now delivers both speed and precision in complex, regulated environments.

Aerospace firms rely on the technology to lightweight parts and reduce assembly complexity. Healthcare systems use it to tailor surgical guides and implants. Automotive OEMs deploy it for toolmaking and interior components in short-run programs. These applications are united by a common value proposition: fast, flexible manufacturing without the need for costly, time-consuming tooling.

What Enables Scalable Integration?

The survey also reveals that infrastructure and leadership alignment are key enablers of success. Firms with more than 100 printers—and those that have dedicated AM teams—are significantly more likely to use additive technologies across functions like production support, MRO, and R&D.

These mature users demonstrate that effective deployment requires more than capital expenditure. It demands internal capability in design for additive manufacturing (DfAM), access to certified materials, and integrated workflows between engineering and operations.

Furthermore, 55% of executives now view AM as a strategic capability, marking a significant cultural shift from 2021, when only 37% held the same view. This growing recognition is a strong signal that additive is transitioning from a peripheral asset to a core part of the industrial playbook.

Operationalization, Not Speculation

The story of additive manufacturing in 2025 is no longer one of futuristic promise—it is one of implementation. With applications maturing across the lifecycle—from early R&D to post-sale support—AM is enabling leaner, faster, and more resilient production systems.

To unlock its full potential, organizations must prioritize infrastructure, workforce upskilling, and the integration of AM into broader digital systems. Equally important is choosing the right partners—those who bring technical expertise, certified processes, and scalable solutions to support production-ready use cases.

RapidMade: A Partner in Production-Grade Additive

One such partner is RapidMade, a full-service additive manufacturing solutions provider with deep expertise in both design and production. RapidMade supports companies across industries in moving from prototyping to industrial AM deployment through:

• Certified materials for aerospace, medical, and industrial use
  
  
• Expert DfAM support and part optimization
  
  
• Scalable production capabilities for jigs, fixtures, tools, and end-use components
  
  
• ISO 9001-certified workflows with traceable quality assurance
  
  

As AM becomes more critical to competitiveness and agility, RapidMade helps organizations bridge the gap between concept and production with precision, speed, and reliability.

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