The ability to mass-produce goods efficiently has defined industrial success for over a century, pioneered by industry giants like Henry Ford. What was once a revolutionary advantage in the past has now become a costly limitation in an era where technological innovation accelerates at an unprecedented pace

Products developed at the start of a decade often face obsolescence by its end, requiring extensive updates across multiple stages of the assembly line. Each stage demands significant capital investment and time, ultimately trapping manufacturers in rigid designs that struggle to adapt to emerging or disruptive advancements, transforming what were once strategic assets into financial liabilities.

Nowhere is this challenge more evident than in the military sector, where rapid technological advancements have profoundly reshaped battlefield dynamics, particularly in the development of unmanned aerial systems such as drones. In less than a decade, military drones have undergone the equivalent of a century’s worth of evolution in conventional aviation, largely driven by additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing). This technology has increasingly become the cornerstone of modern manufacturing, enabling industries to keep pace with the relentless speed of innovation.

As defence sectors push the boundaries of additive manufacturing to stay ahead of technological shifts, their breakthroughs are accelerating advancements in commercial industries that rely on the same cutting-edge methods, including aerospace, prefabricated construction, boat manufacturing, advanced robotics, autonomous transport, and more. For example, the BMW i8 Roadster incorporates two 3D-printed components, while the Airbus A350 features over 1,000, including titanium........

© The News International