A growing number of Michigan manufacturers are beginning to recognize that Additive Manufacturing and 3D printing (AM/3D) is moving beyond the category of emerging curiosity. It is becoming a practical manufacturing tool with real business applications.
According to Wohlers Associates, global additive manufacturing revenues grew from roughly $12 billion in 2020 to $24.2 billion in 2025, and industry forecasts project the market will exceed $80 billion by 2030. This level of growth reflects more than interest—it signals increasing adoption and industrial relevance.
Programs like Project DIAMOnD have played an important role in accelerating this shift. By expanding access to industrial 3D printing, more companies now have direct, hands-on exposure to what additive manufacturing can do.
But as many are discovering, access to a printer is only the starting point.
The real opportunity lies in learning how to apply the technology within manufacturing operations—with the discipline, judgment, and processes required to turn capability into reliable business value.
Project DIAMOnD has lowered the barrier to entry for local manufacturers. More importantly, it has created hands-on experience—not just awareness. It is helping build an ecosystem of learning and participation across Michigan’s manufacturing base.
However, having access to equipment does not guarantee results.
Manufacturers must make informed decisions about when additive manufacturing is the right tool—and when it is not. Without the proper process thinking, implementation can fall short, and expected benefits may not be realized.
Additive manufacturing introduces different requirements for consistency, repeatability, material control, quality assurance, and economics. This is where many companies encounter the true learning curve.
The reality is simple: the right applications matter. Not every part belongs in additive manufacturing.
So the key question becomes: Where does this technology create real value within manufacturing operations?
The answer begins with design.
Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) differs fundamentally from conventional design approaches. The ability to create complex geometries, consolidate multiple components into a single part, and reduce weight can provide meaningful performance and efficiency advantages.
At the same time, success depends on understanding materials, machine capabilities, and process parameters—often in greater detail than expected.
The range of usable materials continues to expand, from engineering plastics to steels and advanced metals—and even into areas such as food applications like chocolate. This growing material landscape is opening new possibilities across industries.
Achieving repeatability requires control across the full workflow:
– Design
– Build preparation
– Printing
– Post-processing
– Inspection
– Documentation
This is where additive manufacturing transitions from a technical capability into a business capability.
Today, many companies are finding value in:
– Prototyping
– Fixtures and tooling
– Low-volume production
– Customization
In particular, additive manufacturing can eliminate tooling costs for low-volume products and can also be used to produce tooling for medium-volume production, creating both flexibility and cost advantages.
These applications offer practical entry points with measurable impact.
Ultimately, competitive advantage comes from readiness—not excitement alone.
Readiness includes:
– Skilled people
– Thoughtful workflow design
– Process discipline
– Quality standards
– Business alignment
Manufacturers who invest in this readiness consistently gain more value than those who treat additive manufacturing as simply another piece of equipment.
Through my own experience with Automation Alley and Project DIAMOnD, I have seen firsthand the opportunity this technology presents—and the importance of approaching it with intention.
Additive Manufacturing delivers its greatest value when it is treated not just as a machine capability, but as a disciplined manufacturing approach grounded in design judgment, process thinking, and business purpose.
That is where curiosity becomes capability—and capability becomes competitive advantage.
George Greenough is the Founder & Principal of G2 Create, a Southeast Michigan-based company focused on additive manufacturing / 3D printing, product development, manufacturing strategy, artificial intelligence, digital thread thinking, and Industry 4.0 readiness. His involvement in additive manufacturing began through Automation Alley and Project DIAMOnD, and he holds SME certification in Additive Manufacturing. George’s background includes senior technology planning and R&D planning roles at General Motors, along with experience across automotive, construction, creative, and product-development fields.
