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Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing, has garnered significant attention across various industries for its flexibility and simplicity in fabrication. This review explores the evolution of AM technologies, encompassing rapid prototyping and 3D printing, which have revolutionized conventional manufacturing processes. The paper discusses the transition from rapid prototyping to AM and highlights its role in creating fully customized products, optimizing topologies, and fabricating complex designs, especially in the aerospace, medical, automotive, defense energy and food industries. The study delves into the fundamental principles of 3D and 4D printing technologies, detailing their processes, materials, and applications. It provides an overview of the various AM techniques, such as Vat photopolymerization, powder bed fusion, material extrusion, and directed energy deposition, shedding light on their classifications and applications. Furthermore, the paper explores the emergence of 4D printing, which introduces an additional dimension of “time” to enable dynamic changes in printed structures. The role of AM in different industries, including aerospace, medical, automotive, energy, and Industry 4.0, is thoroughly examined. The aerospace sector benefits from AM's ability to reduce production costs and lead times, while the medical field leverages bioprinting for synthetic organ fabrication and surgical equipment development. Similarly, AM enhances flexibility and customization in automotive manufacturing, energy production, and Industry 4.0 initiatives Overall, this review provides insights into the growing significance of AM technologies and their transformative impact on various industries. It underscores the potential of 3D and 4D printing to drive innovation, optimize production processes, and meet the evolving demands of modern manufacturing.
Gobena et al. (Wed,) studied this question.