We use the broadest possible definition

Is Digital Manufacturing a new concept?

Digital technologies have been used in manufacturing for more than 30 years:

1990s The application of digital information for the enhancement of manufacturing processes.

2000s The application of digital information for the enhancement of manufacturing processes and supply chains.

2010s The application of digital information [from multiple sources, formats, owners] for the enhancement of manufacturing processes, supply chains, products and services.

What is new is the scope of the application and the recent evolution of key technologies such as personal mobile computing, cloud based computing, ubiquitous internet and others.

Global digital manufacturing initiatives