Additive manufacturing can be used in digital fabrication in a number of ways:
1. Prototyping: Additive manufacturing is a popular tool for prototyping as it helps in creating early prototypes quickly and efficiently. This helps in resolving any design issues well before the final product is produced.
2. Customization: Additive manufacturing enables the creation of customized products as per the exact requirements of the customers. This is especially relevant in fields like medical and dental prosthetics where individualized requirements are prevalent.
3. Architecture: Additive manufacturing is widely being used in architecture to create scaled-down models and complex designs with unparalleled accuracy.
4. Rapid Manufacturing: Additive manufacturing is also used in rapid manufacturing to produce low-volume, high-value, and complex products in a shorter span of time.
5. Repair and maintenance: Additive manufacturing is used in repair and maintenance of existing products as it can easily create replacement parts without the need for a lot of tools and effort.
6. Small business or home-based manufacturing: Additive manufacturing enables small businesses and individuals to create a variety of products, with minimal infrastructure making it ideal for home-based manufacturing.
7. Art and sculpture: Additive manufacturing can create intricate designs and structures allowing artists to expand their artistic expression to the digital realm.
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