Has the AM Wave Arrived for SMEs? Reflecting on the Past, Forecasting the Future

Back in 2018, we shared a bold prediction: that small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) would be the true force behind the next wave of additive manufacturing (AM) adoption. The reasoning was clear - SMEs are agile, innovation-hungry, and unencumbered by legacy infrastructure. As the tools became more accessible, it seemed inevitable they’d become leaders in the space.

But five years on, has that wave actually arrived?

What We Said Then

In our 2018 post "How Small & Medium Businesses Will Drive the AM Wave", we highlighted:

• More accessible hardware: Lower-cost machines making AM realistic for smaller players.

• Distributed manufacturing potential: A shift from centralised factories to on-demand local production.

• Software as a key enabler: Workflow platforms and digital tools bridging the skill/resource gap.

The vision? A democratised future of manufacturing where innovation is driven by the many, not the few.

Comparing early AM predictions with today’s reality in small manufacturing businesses.

What's Actually Happened?

The reality is nuanced. There’s no doubt AM adoption has grown, and yes, SMEs are playing a role - but it hasn’t been as fast or as widespread as we once hoped.

What’s slowed momentum?

• Upfront costs: Even with more affordable machines, the total investment (training, software, material, support) is still significant.

• Skills gap: AM expertise isn’t always easy to find, especially for smaller firms without dedicated engineering teams.

• Fragmented workflows: Many SMEs still rely on disconnected tools or manual processes, limiting efficiency.

• Supply chain uncertainty: While COVID-19 proved the value of distributed production, it also introduced volatility that made some hesitant to invest.

What’s moved forward?

• Ecosystem maturity: More plug-and-play solutions, standardised materials, and support networks.

• Policy & support: Government initiatives and industry grants encouraging AM adoption.

• Workflow automation software: Tools like Authentise Flows are lowering the barrier to entry by simplifying and automating complex tasks.

Where SMEs Are Winning

Some smaller manufacturers have made AM central to their business model, offering niche, customised, or on-demand production services. They're agile enough to experiment, iterate quickly, and integrate new tools with less bureaucracy than larger corporations.

These businesses aren’t just using AM to prototype - they’re using it to produce end-use parts at scale.

The difference? They've embraced end-to-end digital workflows.

Platforms like Authentise Flows have made it possible to automate job routing, integrate with machines, and manage the entire production process through a simple interface.

These tools help SMEs:

• Run leaner operations

• Improve traceability

• Get to market faster

• Reduce reliance on manual tracking

So Has the Wave Arrived?

The short answer: partially.

The AM wave is still building, but it’s clear that SMEs who lean into automation and connectivity are already riding it. Others, held back by cost or complexity, may still be watching from the shoreline.

The key difference now is that the infrastructure is ready. The software exists. The case studies are mounting. And the pressure to adapt - from customers, supply chains, and markets - is rising.

Conclusion

Additive manufacturing's promise for SMEs is still very much alive. The vision of distributed, agile, software-powered production is no longer just a forecast - it's a reality for those willing to invest.

Authentise Flows continues to support that transition, offering the tools SMEs need to work smarter, not harder.

Are you ready to catch the next AM wave?

Explore Authentise Flows or book a demo to see how we can help your business scale through smart workflow automation.