3 Proven Strategies to Eliminate Repetitive Tasks in Additive Manufacturing

Do you find yourself starting each day in the additive manufacturing (AM) department by sifting through a flood of 3D‑printing requests in your inbox, only to manually transfer them into spreadsheets, calculate quotes, and confirm details with the requester?

Typical duties—updating engineers on order status, re‑entering data across systems, compiling reports—also consume valuable time. Manual, repetitive work can slow production, delay deliveries, frustrate customers, and, worst of all, introduce costly errors.

Automation is the answer. By offloading routine tasks to intelligent systems, you free up skilled staff for high‑value activities, reduce operational costs, and build processes that are more reliable and compliant.

Below we outline three automation solutions that target the most common pain points in AM workflows, from order submission to data management and workflow orchestration.

Automating Repetitive Tasks in Additive Manufacturing

The heart of most AM bottlenecks lies in managing the workflow. Three core solutions—an ordering portal, an internal order management system, and workflow automation software—can dramatically simplify operations.

1. Deploying an Ordering Portal

An intuitive, web‑based ordering portal lets engineers and designers submit 3D‑printing requests at any time, selecting materials, technologies, and parameters with a few clicks.

Key advantages include:

• 24/7 capture of complete order data, eliminating the need for manual entry.
• Seamless integration with accounting or ERP systems, automatically populating downstream workflows.
• Instant, accurate price calculations—turning a multi‑minute quote into a matter of seconds.
• Real‑time status updates for stakeholders, reducing email back‑and‑forth.

By automating order submission, your team can focus on engineering decisions rather than administrative overhead.

2. Implementing an Internal Order Management System

Once orders flow in, a dedicated AM order management system (OMS) replaces spreadsheets and scattered data silos. Traditional ERPs often lack the specialized features required for additive manufacturing—such as rapid part‑level tracking, material inventory integration, and rapid re‑quote capabilities.

A modern OMS, tailored for AM, offers:

• A single source of truth for all requests and orders.
• Advanced search and filtering to prioritize projects and monitor deadlines.
• Automated email imports—capturing requests sent by email directly into the system.
• Scalability to handle hundreds of new orders without manual intervention.

When combined with an ordering portal, the OMS creates a closed‑loop process that dramatically reduces errors and accelerates order throughput.

3. Deploying Workflow Automation Software

Workflow automation formalizes business rules so that tasks, documents, and status changes flow automatically. In AM, this can include:

• Automatic email notifications to engineers when an order moves from preparation to production.
• Real‑time status updates that reflect the current stage of every part.
• Automatic routing of jobs to the appropriate printers or teams based on capacity and material.

Without automation, status changes require manual spreadsheet edits and email alerts—introducing lag and limiting real‑time visibility. Workflow tools eliminate these bottlenecks, enabling agile response to production hiccups.

Case Study: L’Oréal’s Transformation Through Automation

Prior to automation, L’Oréal’s 3D‑printing lab relied on email requests, spreadsheet pricing, and manual status updates. An assistant spent hours entering data and sending email follow‑ups.

After adopting AMFG’s integrated ordering portal, OMS, and workflow engine, the lab:

• Eliminated email‑based ordering.
• Automated cost calculation and project categorization.
• Enabled instant notifications for engineers.
• Saved hours of administrative work each week.
• Reduced pricing errors and accelerated order turnaround.

Read more: How L’Oréal Accelerates Time to Market with AMFG’s Workflow Software

Doing Additive Manufacturing Smarter

Investing in automation yields a strong ROI—often paying back within a year—while delivering consistent quality, efficiency, and control. Consider these metrics:

• Up to 25% reduction in labor costs.
• 100% accurate data delivery.
• Order processing time cut by up to 90%.

For labs and manufacturers looking to scale, automation is a strategic enabler. With our proven track record across diverse clients, AMFG stands ready to guide your organization toward scalable, profitable growth.