Direct digital manufacturing, or ‘3D printing’ as it is more commonly known, offers a wealth of opportunities for product and process innovation, and is often touted to ‘revolutionize’ today’s manufacturing operations and its associated supply chains structures. title = "Direct digital manufacturing: Definition, evolution, and sustainability implications", author = "D. Chen and S. Heyer and S. Ibbotson and K. Salonitis and J.G. Additive Manufacturing (AM) is an appropriate name to describe the technologies that build 3D objects by adding layer-upon-layer of material, whether the material is plastic, metal, concrete or one day…..human tissue.. Common to AM technologies is the use of a computer, 3D modeling software (Computer Aided Design or CAD), machine equipment and layering material. Direct digital manufacturing (DDM) is a term that describes the usage of additive manufacturing technologies for production or manufacturing of end-use components. Direct Digital Manufacturing (DDM) is a process that produces parts directly from a CAD file. Steingr{\'i}msson and S. Thiede", Additive manufacturing uses data computer-aided-design (CAD) software or 3D object scanners to direct hardware to deposit material, layer upon layer, in precise geometric shapes. An automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) can design the entire manufacturing process digitally (tooling, machining, assembly sequencing, and factory layout) at the same time that designers are designing the next vehicle program. Direct digital manufacturing, or ‘3D printing’ as it is more commonly known, offers a wealth of opportunities for product and process innovation, and is often touted to ‘revolutionize’ today’s manufacturing operations and its associated supply chains structures. A detailed case study demonstrates the energy use differences of direct digital manufacturing and mass production in depth. direct digital manufacturing definition: See rapid manufacturing. Downloadable (with restrictions)! ... Definitions. Find out inside PCMag's comprehensive tech and computer-related encyclopedia. Furthermore, direct digital manufacturing as a paradigm is analysed and compared with craft production, mass production and mass customisation. See rapid manufacturing. “Digital construction is the use and application of digital tools to improve the process of delivering and operating the built environment” In general terms that will translate into making the delivery, operation and renewal of our built environment safer, more efficient and more collaborative. Direct digital manufacturing's sustainability aspects related to social, economical and environmental dimensions are gathered and analysed for a … Digital manufacturing is utilized across industries. What does direct digital manufacturing actually mean? Direct digital manufacturing is a manufacturing process which manifests physical parts directly from 3D CAD files or data using additive fabrication techniques, also called 3D printing or Rapid Prototyping.The 3D printed part or parts are intended to be used as the final product itself with minimal post-processing. direct digital manufacturing - Computer Definition. Direct digital manufacturing's sustainability aspects related to social, economical and environmental dimensions are gathered and analysed for a better insight of this technique. As its name implies, additive manufacturing adds material to create an object. Now, AM can bring digital flexibility and efficiency to manufacturing operations.