How Software is Streamlining the AM Workflow

Additive manufacturing (AM) holds enormous promise for flexible, on-demand production. But behind the sleek lines of a printed part lies a complex, multi-step workflow that can slow innovation, introduce errors, and limit scalability if left unmanaged. That's where AM workflow software comes in - bringing automation, visibility, and efficiency to every stage of the process.

What is AM Workflow Software?

AM workflow software is a digital backbone designed specifically to manage and streamline the end-to-end additive manufacturing process. It coordinates everything from design file intake to post-processing and delivery, helping teams eliminate manual steps, reduce waste, and accelerate output.

Unlike traditional PLM or MES platforms, AM workflow software is purpose-built for the unique requirements of additive. It offers tools tailored to digital thread management, build prep, real-time tracking, material usage, machine allocation, and quality control.

The Challenges It Solves

Additive workflows are often stitched together with spreadsheets, emails, and disconnected tools. This creates bottlenecks, versioning issues, and a lack of transparency. Key pain points include:

• Siloed data and fragmented systems that slow down communication

• Manual job routing and file preparation prone to errors

• Limited traceability for compliance or auditing

• Inefficient use of machines and materials, impacting throughput and cost

  
  

AM workflow software unifies these steps into a connected system. It automates routine tasks, triggers alerts, and ensures that every stakeholder - from engineers to operators - is working from the same up-to-date information.

Benefits of Additive Manufacturing Automation

1. Faster Production Cycles: Automation reduces delays between process stages, enabling higher throughput.

2. Real-Time Visibility: Dashboards and live data tracking help teams monitor jobs, resources, and quality in real time.

3. Data-Driven Decisions: Analytics reveal inefficiencies, guide improvements, and provide the foundation for AI-driven optimisation.

4. Better Traceability: Every action, material batch, and file version is logged for audit and compliance readiness.

5. Scalability: With streamlined digital workflows, it becomes easier to scale up operations or integrate with enterprise tools.

   
   

Real-World Applications

Companies leveraging AM workflow software are reducing lead times, cutting scrap, and building resilience into their supply chains. For example, Authentise Threads helps teams contextualise production data and track every step of the additive process. Meanwhile, Authentise Flows provides a powerful low-code interface that enables users to build custom logic, automate approvals, route orders intelligently, and integrate across machines, systems, and teams in real time.

This level of automation is crucial not just for large-scale manufacturing, but for agile teams responding to custom or short-run production demands. With Flows, those teams can respond faster, with fewer errors, and with clearer visibility into operations.

Conclusion

In an industry built on innovation, the way we manage additive manufacturing workflows shouldn't be stuck in the past. AM workflow software is the key to unlocking additive manufacturing automation - helping manufacturers do more with less, faster, and smarter.

Want to take your automation one step further? Authentise Flows integrates seamlessly with your existing ecosystem to orchestrate every stage of production, from order intake to delivery. Its low-code engine empowers you to automate even the most complex workflows with ease.

Learn more about Flows or Book a demo to see it in action.