The 3D printing technologies are grouped into seven categories based on fundamental elements of the machine’s functionality; Metal Extrusion, Material Jetting, Binder Jetting, Vat Photopolymerization, Sheet Lamination, Powder Bed Fusion, and Directed Energy Deposition. The maturity of these technologies ranges from concept designs to mass production.Additive manufacturing and 3D printing can improve customer service, speed time to market, reduce distribution costs, and enable mass customization by allowing local subcontractors—or even customers—to create components using onsite printers, using designs licensed by a manufacturer. It can also reduce environmental waste by recycling old products into the raw material for new printed products.