A manufacturer can be innovative in various ways by using new business models and adopting measures to improve processes and enhance existing products. But to stay ahead of competition, manufacturers often turn to technology. Here are five technologies that are driving manufacturing innovation.

Additive manufacturing, aka 3D printing

Additive manufacturing was developed during the 1980s. Today it covers any and all processes involved in printing a 3D product—the reason it’s commonly referred to as 3D printing. Additive manufacturing includes a technique called cold spraying, which involves blasting metallic particles through a nozzle at high speeds, binding particles together to form shapes. Through the control of a computer, material builds layer by layer to create a precise replica of an original design. This can significantly decrease the waste and expense of developing new products.

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