Advanced manufacturing

Advanced manufacturing is the use of innovative technology to improve products or processes.

One of the most widely used definitions of advanced manufacturing involves the use of technology to improve products and/or processes, with the relevant technology being described as "advanced," "innovative," or "." For example, one organization defines advanced manufacturing as industries that "increasingly integrate new innovative technologies in both products and processes. The rate of technology adoption and the ability to use that technology to remain competitive and add value define the advanced manufacturing sector." Another author defined World Class Foundry (read manufacturing) as:"A World Class Manufacturing (WCM) is one which integrates the latest-gen machinery with (process/ work) systems to facilitate 'manufacturing'- based business development governed around manufactured products only, duly based over a high accent on Product Substitution or New Product Development."

Any organization practicing advanced manufacturing shall produce products characterised as:

The manufacturing process technologies described in definitions of advanced manufacturing include:

There are also definitions of "advanced manufacturing" that are used by one or few sources.

Traditional Manufacturing is defined as the act of converting raw materials into finished products by using manual or mechanized transformational techniques. The purpose of such activities is to add value to achieve targeted objectives, which do not preclude society's overall interests. In one report, the distinction between traditional sectors of manufacturing (listed as auto, steel) and others (listed as aerospace, medical device, pharmaceutical) is the basis for a definition of advanced manufacturing, with the characteristics of the two differing in terms of volume and scale economies, labor and skill content, and the depth and diversity of the network surrounding the industry. (New England Council and Deloitte, as referenced in PCAST document)

Other sources define advanced manufacturers as those that "succeed" in today's competitive environment. One source states that: "What differentiates certain companies is a unique ability to create a competitive advantage in this environment. These manufacturers think and do faster and, by definition, these advantages make them advanced." (Industrial College of the Armed Forces) The White House survey lists some experts as defining advanced manufacturing "solely by advances that led to decreased cost or increased productivity." (PCAST)

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