Rapid tooling using additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is an emerging manufacturing technology that has the potential to revolutionize the production of complex parts using only a computer and a design program. Lightweight structures with excellent dimensional precision and lower cost for customizable geometries are possible with these printed parts. In recent years, inherent constraints of polymers, metals, and ceramics have pushed researchers toward superior alternative composite materials to boost mechanical and other critical features; current 3D printing research follows this route from neat to composite materials. The characteristics, performance, and future uses of composite materials produced using additive manufacturing methods are discussed in this review. In addition, to discuss the state of the art in additive manufacturing, this article also fabricated many technologies, including robotics, machine learning, organ-on-a-chip, and 4D bioprinting.
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