Advances in Additive Manufacturing: Processes, Systems, and Emerging Horizons

Dear Colleagues,

Additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing are transforming industries by enabling complex geometries, design innovations, and rapid production. As AM transitions from prototyping to scalable manufacturing, challenges persist in optimizing processes, integrating intelligent systems, and bridging digital design with physical production. This evolution demands innovations across materials, hardware, software, and emerging paradigms such as AI-driven automation, hybrid workflows, and adaptive production strategies.

This Special Issue of Machines focuses on advances in AM technologies that address these challenges while exploring new frontiers. We invite contributions on novel processes, systems, and applications that push the boundaries of AM’s capabilities, including but not limited to the following:

• Process Innovations:
• Advances in metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, and multi-material printing;
• Hybrid manufacturing (integration with subtractive, formative, or assembly processes);
• High-speed, large-scale, and micro/nano-scale AM.
• Systems and Automation:
• AI/ML for design optimization, process control, and defect prediction;
• Digital twins, real-time monitoring, and closed-loop feedback systems;
• Software tools for generative design, topology optimization, slicing, and workflow automation and integration;
• Hardware advancements (e.g., multi-axis printing, modular systems, in situ sensing).
• Emerging Frontiers:
• Cooperative 3D printing;
• Swarm manufacturing (multi-agent manufacturing);
• General-purpose, reconfigurable production systems;
• Sustainable AM (energy-efficient processes, recyclable materials, circular economy).

We welcome original research, reviews, and case studies that advance AM’s scientific foundations, technological maturity, and industrial relevance. Submissions exploring software/hardware integration, AI-driven workflows, or novel paradigms (e.g., cooperative/swarm manufacturing) are also encouraged as part of AM’s broader evolution.

Dr. Wenchao Zhou
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Machines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• additive manufacturing
• 3D Printing
• hybrid manufacturing
• cooperative 3D printing
• swarm manufacturing
• AI-driven manufacturing