University Team Proposes New Holistic Standards for 3D Printing

A new study from the University of West Attica argues that the full potential of additive manufacturing will remain unrealized until designers rethink how products are conceived for 3D printing. Published in Advanced Manufacturing, the research introduces a comprehensive design framework that encourages engineers to move beyond the geometry-driven rules that have dominated the field for more than a decade.

Although additive manufacturing has evolved into a robust production solution for aerospace, medical devices, automotive components, and specialized tooling, many digital design practices still mirror those used for traditional machining and fabrication. According to the research team, this legacy mindset restricts what 3D printing can accomplish.

The authors propose what they describe as a holistic, system-level approach to Design for Additive Manufacturing. Their framework ties together design intent, material behavior, build orientation, process parameters, sustainability considerations, and real-world performance. The goal is to align digital modeling more closely with how additive manufacturing systems behave during printing and throughout the product lifecycle.