BRIDGING DIGITAL AND TRADITIONAL FABRICATION

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is distinguished as a stand-alone production method, however, integrating AM into established industries presents a key opportunity to accelerate the transition toward more advanced, adaptable, and efficient fabrication systems. In the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, particularly in the manufacturing of prefabricated metal panels, production still relies on traditional techniques such as rolling, stamping, bending, and cutting. These methods impose geometric constraints, generate material waste, and require costly molds and manual adjustments. As a result, large-scale production of identical parts becomes necessary, where the efficiency of the established setup is justified by the high volume of repetition. The absence of AM within these workflows limits innovation and adaptability, slowing the industry’s evolution toward digital and automated production.

Integrating AM into existing fabrication workflows transforms metal panels from static, prefabricated components into adaptable, performance-driven elements that optimize structural behavior and material efficiency. Rather than replacing conventional manufacturing, AM serves as a complementary tool, selectively enhancing prefabricated components through targeted reinforcement, geometric modifications, and multi-material hybridization. Instead of fabricating entire structures, AM is applied precisely where needed without disrupting established production chains.

Advancements in computational workflows, real-time scanning, and robotic automation further enhance the feasibility of integrating AM within industrialized fabrication. By embedding AM into prefabricated panel manufacturing, the transition toward more efficient, flexible, and high-performance construction becomes achievable. Bridging the gap between digital fabrication and traditional manufacturing unlocks new possibilities for efficiency, sustainability, and even design-for-disassembly strategies. The challenge lies not only in refining AM technologies but in reshaping industrial workflows and mindsets to integrate them as essential tools within large-scale production.