Photo of parts (in white) created by additive 
fabrication, courtesy of Stratasys

The three primary applications of additive fabrication are design and modeling, fit and function prototyping, and rapid manufacturing. As shown in the following illustration, "additive fabrication" serves well as an umbrella term for these applications.

Three primary applications of additive fabrication

Around the world, additive fabrication is changing the way organizations design and manufacture products. When used correctly, it can save impressive amounts of time and money. Companies maintain that additive processes have helped them trim weeks and even months of design, prototyping, and manufacturing time, while avoiding costly errors and enhancing product quality.