The Role of Additive Manufacturing in Advancing Lean Production System

Additive Manufacturing (AM), often referred to as 3D printing, is transforming the contemporary manufacturing environment through flexibility enhancement, waste identification and reduction, as well as rapid prototyping enablement. The integration of AM into Lean Production System (LPS) has the potential to improve quality and production efficiency, enhance throughput and profitability, and also minimize resource consumption. This paper systematically explores the synergy between AM and LPS which leads to not just waste reduction, but increases customization and also fosters Just-In-Time (JIT) Manufacturing. It also offers a detailed review of their impact on production processes, sustainability, and scalability. Furthermore, the paper discussed the limitations of AM and provided future directions in adopting AM within lean frameworks, and also emphasized on Industry 4.0 technologies.