Traditional manufacturing involves a sequence of events that take place in scattered locations. Manufacturing a cellphone's lithium battery, for example, involves six complex steps. 

 

So when you shop for the newest cellphone at a store near your home, you're at the far end of a long chain of events. The manufacturing cycle looks different for an equivalent product of additive manufacturing.

 

Look at the video example to get familiar with the additive manufacturing benefits regarding the supply chain.