Reviewing Additive Manufacturing Techniques: Material Trends and Weight Optimization Possibilities Through Innovative Printing Patterns

Additive manufacturing is transforming modern industries by enabling the production of lightweight, complex structures while minimizing material waste and energy consumption. This review explores its evolution, covering historical developments, key technologies, and emerging trends. It highlights advancements in material innovations, including metals, polymers, composites, and ceramics, tailored to enhance mechanical properties and expand functional applications. Special emphasis is given to bioinspired designs and their contribution to enhancing structural efficiency. Additionally, the potential of these techniques for sustainable manufacturing and industrial scalability is discussed. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of Additive Manufacturing’s impact on design optimization and material performance, offering insights into future research and industrial applications.