What is one advantage of adding an AM operation to a traditional manufacturing operation?

Adding an additive manufacturing (AM) operation to a traditional manufacturing process provides significant advantages, particularly in terms of executing cost-effective small-batch runs. This is largely due to the flexibility and versatility that AM technologies offer. Unlike traditional manufacturing methods, which often require expensive molds or tooling that can be inefficient for small quantities, AM allows for rapid production without the need for these extensive setups.

This capability enables manufacturers to respond quickly to design changes or custom orders without incurring prohibitive costs. As a result, businesses can efficiently fulfill niche markets or prototype components while keeping costs manageable, making it a valuable addition to traditional manufacturing approaches.

The other options, while beneficial in their own right, do not align as closely with the unique strengths of AM in conjunction with traditional methods. For example, increased production speed typically pertains more to high-volume manufacturing scenarios, which may not be the primary focus of integrating AM. Similarly, lower energy consumption and improved durability can be important but are not the primary advantages linked with the small-batch production capabilities offered by AM.