Short answer
Shift from a traditional manufacturing mindset to an AM-centric approach by incorporating AM-specific design principles and decision-making processes from the outset of any design project utilizing these technologies.
- Field
- Modelling
- Source
- Proceedings of the Design Society (2025)
- Method
- Qualitative Interview Study
- Sample
- 11 participants
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Successful integration of additive manufacturing (AM) into product development hinges on cultivating an AM-specific design mindset and ensuring informed decision-making throughout the process. This modelling research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Proceedings of the Design Society. Using Qualitative interview study with 11 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Shift from a traditional manufacturing mindset to an AM-centric approach by incorporating AM-specific design principles and decision-making processes from the outset of any design project utilizing these technologies.
Bridging the Design-Manufacturing Gap in Additive Manufacturing Requires a Shift in Mindset
Successful integration of additive manufacturing (AM) into product development hinges on cultivating an AM-specific design mindset and ensuring informed decision-making throughout the process.
Proceedings of the Design Society · 2025
Key Findings
- 01A prevalent lack of an AM-specific design mindset among engineers.
- 02Uninformed decision-making processes hindering effective utilization of AM capabilities.
- 03Challenges impacting multiple phases of the product development lifecycle, not just specific stages.
- 04Absence of operational solutions tailored to different development phases for AM.
Application
Design takeaway
Shift from a traditional manufacturing mindset to an AM-centric approach by incorporating AM-specific design principles and decision-making processes from the outset of any design project utilizing these technologies.
How to apply
When designing for additive manufacturing, actively seek to understand the unique capabilities and constraints of the chosen AM process. Engage in collaborative modelling and simulation that incorporates AM-specific parameters and test different design iterations early.
Project actions
- 01When designing for additive manufacturing, research the specific capabilities and limitations of the technology you plan to use.
- 02Consider how your design choices will be affected by material properties, build orientation, and post-processing requirements.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Focuses on real-world challenges faced by industry professionals.
- +Provides a qualitative understanding of complex issues in AM product development.
Limitations
The study's findings are based on interviews with engineers, and the challenges faced by designers might differ. The specific AM technologies used by participants were varied, which could influence the nature of the challenges.
Reliability & validity
The study's validity is supported by the identification of recurring themes across multiple interviews. Reliability could be enhanced by using a more structured interview protocol and potentially involving a larger, more diverse sample.
Think critically
To what extent do the identified challenges in AM product development stem from inherent limitations of the technology versus a lack of adequate training and established design methodologies?
Design Principles
"Cultivate an AM-specific design mindset and integrate informed decision-making throughout the product development lifecycle."
Designers and engineers often approach AM with traditional manufacturing paradigms, leading to suboptimal designs and missed opportunities. Developing frameworks that embed AM-specific considerations early in the design and modelling phases is crucial for unlocking the full potential of these technologies.
What This Means for Your Design
To make good products with 3D printing, you need to think differently than you would for regular manufacturing. People often don't know enough about 3D printing, so they make bad choices that cause problems later on.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of a specialized mindset for additive manufacturing in your design project's background or justification.
- 2.Use the findings to inform your own design process, ensuring you are making informed decisions specific to AM.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The successful integration of additive manufacturing (AM) into product development is significantly hindered by a lack of an AM-specific design mindset and uninformed decision-making, as highlighted by research involving engineers in the field. This necessitates a proactive approach to design, where the unique capabilities and constraints of AM are considered from the initial modelling stages, rather than as an afterthought, to avoid phase-specific and overarching challenges throughout the product development lifecycle.
Source
Proceedings of the Design Society
Current challenges in the development of products for additive manufacturing - an interview study
journal · 2025
View sourceRelated studies
Questions About This Research
- What does the research say about bridging the design-manufacturing gap in additive manufacturing requires a shift in mindset?
- Shift from a traditional manufacturing mindset to an AM-centric approach by incorporating AM-specific design principles and decision-making processes from the outset of any design project utilizing these technologies. Evidence: Proceedings of the Design Society (2025).
- Why does "Bridging the Design-Manufacturing Gap in Additive Manufacturing Requires a Shift in Mindset" matter for design?
- Designers and engineers often approach AM with traditional manufacturing paradigms, leading to suboptimal designs and missed opportunities. Developing frameworks that embed AM-specific considerations early in the design and modelling phases is crucial for unlocking the full potential of these technologies.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Shift from a traditional manufacturing mindset to an AM-centric approach by incorporating AM-specific design principles and decision-making processes from the outset of any design project utilizing these technologies.
- What were the main findings?
- A prevalent lack of an AM-specific design mindset among engineers.. Uninformed decision-making processes hindering effective utilization of AM capabilities.. Challenges impacting multiple phases of the product development lifecycle, not just specific stages.. Absence of operational solutions tailored to different development phases for AM.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative Interview Study with 11 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Proceedings of the Design Society.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing for additive manufacturing, actively seek to understand the unique capabilities and constraints of the chosen AM process. Engage in collaborative modelling and simulation that incorporates AM-specific parameters and test different design iterations early.
- What are the limitations?
- Findings are based on a limited sample size and may not be generalizable to all industries or AM applications. The study relies on self-reported challenges, which could be subject to recall bias.