What is it?

Advanced manufacturing involves the integration of information technology, design, innovative materials, enterprise management, logistical systems, and marketing activities over highly flexible regional and/or global supply, financial (including payment), and research networks. Digital manufacturing also permits "additive manufacturing" where small components, including those at the nano or molecular scale (including biological) are added together to create a product. Advanced manufacturing includes biomanufacturing, which involves the application of biological processed to produce, for example, medical devices, plastics, and fuels. Products are individually tracked (for example, with RFID tags) delivered in "real time" directly to the customer anywhere in the world. Less inventory is maintained, while more timely market-appropriate design is incorporated into product.