Additive Manufacturing: New Trends in the 4th Industrial Revolution

Among the enabling technologies of the fourth industrial revolution, additive manufacturing (AM) is considered as a key factor for the success of the new production paradigm. In this paper, the role of the AM technologies in the new scenery will be pointed out, focusing the attention on those factors enacting its success and its widespread diffusion among the most important companies of the main industrial sectors. These factors are mainly attributable to new materials of every kind, from polymers to metals passing from the composites, as well as, new processes, which open the possibility to reach new markets. The most relevant innovations will be reported, especially those related to the industrial implementation of AM. The issues related to the metrology of the additive manufacturing products and the sustainability of these manufacturing processes will be also described highlighting the main criticalities.