The term additive manufacturing ecosystem belongs to the areas of 3D printing, Industry and Factory 4.0 and digital transformation. It refers to the entire network of technologies, companies, services and applications that has emerged around additive manufacturing processes - i.e. 3D printing.
An additive manufacturing ecosystem encompasses everything that is needed for successful 3D printing: from the manufacturers of 3D printers and materials, to software developers who provide suitable programmes, to service providers who implement print jobs or supply spare parts. It also includes research institutes, training providers and online platforms.
An illustrative example: If a car manufacturer wants to produce a new component using a 3D printer, it doesn't just need the printer itself. It also needs the right material, special design software, possibly design experts and someone to check the quality. All of these players work together in the additive manufacturing ecosystem to ensure that the idea is quickly turned into a finished, high-quality product.
Such ecosystems accelerate innovation, make companies more flexible and help to develop new business models centred around 3D printing.
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