Additive manufacturing has already transformed the way that products are designed and produced in a wide variety of industries. The technology is now starting to be used by appliance engineers to assemble coffee makers, ovens, refrigerators and other household products.

Additive manufacturing “prints” solid objects from a digital file by depositing one layer of material on top of another, rather than starting with a solid piece of material that is cut and shaped. It allows companies to more easily manufacture complex shapes and structures that have traditionally been difficult to make with subtractive manufacturing methods. There’s also less waste, which results in shorter setup times and lower material costs.