What is one of the advantages of AM from a manufacturing point of view?

One of the significant advantages of additive manufacturing (AM) from a manufacturing perspective is its ability to reduce material waste. Traditional subtractive manufacturing processes often involve cutting away material from a solid block to create a part, which can result in a considerable amount of scrap material being generated. In contrast, additive manufacturing builds parts layer by layer, only using the material that is necessary for the final product. This layer-by-layer approach minimizes waste because excess material is generally not produced during the manufacturing process itself.

Additionally, reducing material waste not only contributes to cost savings in terms of raw material usage but also has positive environmental implications, making the additive manufacturing process more sustainable compared to traditional methods. This efficiency in material usage is a key reason why many industries are increasingly adopting additive manufacturing technologies.

The other choices highlight aspects that do not align as directly with the advantages typically ascribed to AM. For instance, increasing lead time is contrary to one of the main benefits of AM, which is often faster production times. Lowering the cost of raw materials is not inherently a feature of AM; rather, it often depends on material choices and market conditions. While standardizing part designs can occur within certain contexts, AM is particularly valued for its ability to create highly customized and complex geometr