What effect does additive manufacturing have on product development time?

Additive manufacturing significantly reduces product development time primarily through its capability for rapid prototyping. This process allows engineers and designers to quickly create physical models of their designs directly from digital files. Traditional manufacturing methods often involve longer lead times for tooling, fixtures, and setup processes, while additive manufacturing circumvents these steps.

By enabling faster iteration of designs, additive manufacturing facilitates more frequent testing and refinement. This leads to a more efficient development cycle where adjustments can be made and prototypes can be produced in a matter of days or even hours, rather than weeks or months. This rapid feedback loop allows teams to innovate and respond to challenges quicker, ultimately accelerating the overall product development timeline.